International students are required to pay their tuition fees up-front in full unless special arrangements have been made in writing.
Prospective students should factor in increases to fees over the life of the course as fees are subject to increases every calendar year.
Knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation. Ìý
Living costs vary depending on your location within Australia, and your study and personal needs.
To find out more about calculating your everyday costs, please visit the Australian Government website
Health insurance is compulsory for most international students who are studying in Australia (see Student Visas for further information). It is a condition of your student visa that you maintain OSHC for the duration of your studies. You must purchase your health cover from an .
There are costs associated with applying for a visa. This will include the visa fees and any other expense associated with it (eg. administrative costs to prepare the documents requested). See Student Visas for further information on applying for a visa.
Airfares to and from Australia are a significant expense. Once in Australia you may wish to travel domestically for study, leisure and other purposes.
It is important you are able to cover costs that may vary such as phone and utility bills, as well as being prepared for any emergency expenses.Ìý
Unit fees are charged by the ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Member College that you are enrolled with and are the same for both international and domestic students.
Fees vary depending on the college you enrol with, calendar year of study, the course you are enrolled in and the units of study you select. Most courses and units of study have required or recommended course materials, such as books, readers, materials and equipment. There may also be costs associated with additional work (eg fieldwork) required for study.
The tuition fees are reviewed each year and the revised tuition fee implemented on 1st January each year.
Failure to pay will result in cancellation of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). If your CoE is cancelled, ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ is required to report the cancellation to the . In this situation, you must contact DHA within 28 days of your CoE cancellation date. Failure to contact the Department of Home Affairs may result in the automatic cancellation of your student visa.
Students studying on an Australia Student Visa are covered by the , an initiative of the Australian Government to assist international students whose education providers are unable to fully deliver their course of study. The TPS ensures that international students are able to either:
Sydney College of Divinity makes a compulsory payment to the Government to protect the interests of our international students.
In the event that a CoE is withdrawn by the Sydney College of Divinity on the grounds that the original offer was made on the basis of incomplete or incorrect information supplied by the international student, the college reserves the right to withhold 10% of the tuition fee paid for the first semester and to refund the balance.
The Sydney College of Divinity Refund and Withdrawal Policy has been developed in accordance with Section 28 of the (as amended in 2007).
ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ policies can be downloaded here
You may also be able to start work in Australia on a student visa after you have commenced the course. During the semesters you can work up to 40 hours per fortnight. You can work unlimited hours during the college term holidays. If you are studying a postgraduate research course (Higher Degree by Research) you are exempt from the restricted work hours and can work unlimited hours. Paid work may help to contribute to your finances once you are in Australia. Always check the conditions of your visa before you decide to commence any work.
Under the , all higher education providers must meet the as a minimum condition of registration. Under the Threshold Standards, all institutions that offer higher education to students in Australia on a student visa are required to provide support services, including initial orientation and academic support.
In addition to the requirements of the Threshold Standards, the Australian Government’s legal framework requires ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ to deliver quality education and a high level of care to our international students on an Australia Student Visa. The framework consists of:
The below resources will help you understand your rights and responsibilities and the obligations of the Sydney College of Divinity under the ESOS framework.
In the higher education sector, these arrangements are primarily enforced by the (TEQSA), which also enforces the Threshold Standards.
The office of the is an independent government agency. The FWO gives advice and support to all workers in Australia, including international students, who have the same work rights as all workers in Australia. it is safe for you to reach out to the FWO if you need help.
You won’t lose your visa by talking to the FWO as it’s not the FWO’s job to check your visa. You can get general advice from the FWO or report issues without giving your name. If you have breached your visa (like working too many hours), the FWO can still help with issues like underpayment.
If you want, the FWO can also share your information with the Department of Home Affairs, who generally won’t cancel your visa if there is evidence your workplace rights have been breached.
Call 13 13 94 to contact the FWO. You can access their services in different languages – all for free.
Listed here are links to help prospective students explore studying in Australia. The information provides an overview of what to expect and could help you make informed choices.
It is important that you research and plan well. Important considerations and planning includes: