Take some time to choose your course and familiarise yourself with the application process. When you're ready to apply to TAFE South Australia we can guide you through your application step by step. You can also find an accredited agent in your country to help you with the application process.

Generally, you will need to apply to TAFE South Australia at least two months before you want to start your studies in Australia. If you have to complete a pre-visa assessment for your student visa, you may need to apply at least six months before you want to begin your course in Australia.

To see if you are required to complete a pre-visa assessment, you can check your visa assessment level with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and find a fact sheet on applying for a student visa. Generally, if you are required to complete a pre-visa assessment, this will be stated on your letter of offer.

You can choose the right course for you from the international course and fees list. Make sure that you check the course information for any special admission requirements for your preferred program.

Application form

You can apply online using the application form for international students.

If you prefer, you can obtain an international application form direct from TAFE South Australia at:

TAFE South Australia International
Adelaide City Campus
Level 2, 120 Currie Street Adelaide
South Australia 5000

Or

• From an accredited agent in your country
• From an Australian Education Agent
• From a TAFE South Australia booth at certain education exhibitions
• You must attach supporting documents to your application form, including
• English language test results (IELTS or Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL)
• certified true copies of your academic records and certification
• employment history and employer references (if relevant)
• copies of the front pages of your passport and visa as proof of identity

Remember that if your documents are not in English, you will need to provide a certified English translation.

Submit your application

If you're not applying online, submit your application form to TAFE South Australia International by mail to

TAFE South Australia International
Adelaide City Campus
PO Box 1872 Adelaide
South Australia 5001

Applications can be emailed to international.tafe@sa.gov.au
Faxed to 61 8 82078283
Or you can submit your application through an agent or an Australian Education Centre

Letter of offer

If your application to study with TAFE South Australia is successful, we will send you a letter of offer. Usually this is within 72 hours of us receiving your application but this may take a little longer. If there is a delay, we will advise you or your agent.

Your letter of offer confirms the name of the course you have been offered; the course fee and additional fees; when your course starts; the duration of the course; and the campus where you will study.

The letter also includes the payment advice (which contains information on how to pay), the acceptance of offer and the refund policy.

Your letter of offer will generally advise you if you need to complete a pre-visa assessment before you accept your offer and pay your course fees. You can also confirm your visa assessment level here.

The visa assessment level, which is shown as a number from one to five, is based on the country where your passport is held, the educational sector where you will be studying and is set by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Conditional offers

TAFE South Australia may make a conditional offer to you. This means that you have been offered a place if you meet the conditions outlined in your letter of offer.

These conditions may include the results of an IELTS test or a successful pre-visa assessment.

Unconditional offers

This means that you have been offered a place in your chosen program.

To secure your place you need to accept your offer within 14 days of the date on the letter of offer.

Accepting an offer

Unconditional or visa assessment level 1 or 2

When you have confirmed your visa assessment level with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, you can accept your offer. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has information on student visas.

To accept your offer you should sign and return your acceptance of offer with your fee payment—including your health cover—to TAFE South Australia International.

You can make your fee payment by telegraphic bank transfer.

Once TAFE South Australia International has received your acceptance and payment, we will send you a confirmation of enrolment certificate (CoE) by email or to your agent if you have used one.

You then take your CoE and letter of offer to your nearest Australian Diplomatic Mission or an office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (if you are in Australia), to apply for your student visa. You may also be able to apply for your student visa online.

If you have applied through an agent, they can assist you with your student visa application. If you are completing an English language (ELICOS) course before starting your formal qualification or combining other courses (for example a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma) this is called course packaging.

Course packaging will affect the visa class that you can apply under. If you are packaging courses you should confirm which visa class you should apply under. You can check this through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

The local Australian Diplomatic Mission can assist you with your student visa application and ensure that you have applied under the correct class. Your Australian Diplomatic Mission will be able to advise you when you are likely to receive your student visa and about medical examination and other visa requirements. Then, you'll be able to organise your flights to South Australia and begin to prepare.

Conditional or visa assessment level 3 or 4

To accept your offer you should apply for a student visa. Apply for a student visa at your nearest Australian Diplomatic mission or Department of Immigration and Citizenship office (if you are in Australia).

If you have made your TAFE South Australia application through an agent, they can also assist you with your visa application. You will need to supply your letter of offer with your visa application to allow a pre-visa assessment to be made. If your pre-visa assessment is approved you will be notified by the Australian Diplomatic mission by letter.

Sign and return your acceptance of offer with the confirmation of your pre-visa assessment letter and your fee payment (including your health cover) to TAFE South Australia International. You can make your fee payment by cheque, credit card, cash or telegraphic bank transfer.

If your offer is conditional, you will have to supply the extra information requested and meet the conditions set out in your letter of offer.

Once TAFE South Australia International has received your acceptance of offer, fee payment and the confirmation of your pre-visa assessment, we will send you a confirmation of enrolment certificate (CoE) by email or to your agent if you have used one. Then, you can take your CoE and your letter of offer to your local Australian Diplomatic mission to complete your student visa application.

If you are completing an English language (ELICOS) course before starting your formal qualification or combining other courses (for example a diploma and an advanced diploma) this is called course packaging.

Course packaging will affect the visa class that you can apply under. If you are packaging courses you should confirm which visa class you should apply under. You can check this through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship

The local Australian Diplomatic Mission can assist you with your student visa application and ensure that you have applied under the correct visa class. They can also advise you when you are likely to receive your student visa and about medical examination and other visa requirements.

Once your student visa has been granted you?ll be able to organise your flights to South Australia and begin to prepare. Remember that once you are here, you will still need to meet your student visa conditions including class attendance and academic progress.

If your assessment level is 5

If your visa assessment level is 5, you will need to speak with your nearest Australian Diplomatic Mission or an office of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship before applying for a student visa or paying your fees.

Receive your student visa and pre-departure information

When you have accepted your offer and paid your fees, you will be issued with a confirmation of enrolment (CoE) certificate which forms part of your student visa application.

If you have made your application through an agent, they can also assist you with your student visa application.

The time it takes to issue your student visa varies depending on your country so you should check the expected processing times with your local Australian Diplomatic Mission.

It’s a great idea to read up before you embark on your educational journey and you can find the information you need in our invaluable Pre-departure and Orientation Guide.

Arrange airport pickup and accommodation

TAFE South Australia and MYSA International have partnered to provide a range of free services for TAFE International Students. We can help you settle in with airport pick up and accommodation arrangements. You should make sure that your airport pick up is requested at least seven working days before you arrive.

MYSA International can assist you with finding somewhere to live from private rental to home-stay accommodation.

More options are available on our accommodation page.

Orientation

Orientation is where you’ll be shown around campus, meet other students and lecturers, start to make friends and get familiar with TAFE South Australia and the city of Adelaide.

When you’ve arrived and let us know your new address, we’ll send you an Orientation timetable and information about TAFE South Australia, studying and living in South Australia.

Our invaluable Pre-departure and Orientation Guide gives you the information you need to help you settle in to South Australia and life as a student.

Completion of enrolment

You’ve arrived, been to orientation and are beginning to settle in. You need to complete your enrolment by making sure that you have finished your unit enrolment and obtained your student id card.

You need to know about your attendance requirements and how to make sure that you meet the conditions of your student visa. More information is available in the TAFE South Australia Attendance Agreement or from international student support.