Visa Information: Vocational Education and Training Sector visa (Subclass 572)

The Vocational Education and Training Sector visa (subclass 572) is no longer available for new applications as of July 1, 2016. If you need to extend your stay in Australia, you must now apply for a Student Visa (subclass 500).

Visa Holders

If you have already been granted a Vocational Education and Training Sector visa (subclass 572) or have applied for the visa before June 30, 2016, this information applies to you. It explains your rights and obligations as a visa holder.

You can use the free Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) to check your visa details and conditions.

Duration of the Visa

If you currently hold a Vocational Education and Training Sector visa (subclass 572), it will remain valid until the expiry date given to you when your visa was granted.

Permitted Activities

With the Vocational Education and Training Sector visa (subclass 572), you are allowed to:

• Study in Australia
• Bring eligible dependent family members to Australia
• Work up to 40 hours per fortnight while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks, complying with State and Territory workplace laws
• Allow your family members to work up to 40 hours per fortnight, provided you have already commenced your course of study in Australia
• Permit family members aged 18 or older to study in Australia for up to three months. If they wish to study for a longer duration, they must apply for their own student visa, which can be done within Australia

Responsibilities and Obligations

Student

As a student visa holder, it is crucial to comply with the conditions of your visa while studying and living in Australia. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your visa. Additionally, you must also adhere to Australian laws.

If you wish to change to a course in a different education sector, such as transitioning from high school to a Diploma course, you will need to apply for a new Student Visa (subclass 500) as your current visa subclass will not be appropriate for the new course. This applies if it is within the first 12 months of your visa being granted or if you are not from a country with Assessment Level 1 status before July 1, 2016.

It is advisable to check the specific conditions that apply to your visa through Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) or your visa grant letter.

Changing Education Providers

In addition to complying with visa conditions, there are requirements under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) National Code that apply if you wish to change your education provider.

If you have not completed six months of your principal course and want to switch education providers, you generally need permission from your current provider unless special circumstances apply. Your education provider must assess or consider your request to transfer, and each provider should have documented procedures on their transfer policy. Familiarize yourself with your education provider's transfer policy and the requirements stated in your written agreement before attempting to enroll with a new provider.

If your education provider does not grant permission to transfer and you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you can access the internal appeal process with your education provider. If still unsatisfied, you have the option to appeal the decision at an external complaints handling body, such as the State or Territory Ombudsman or the Overseas Student Ombudsman.

Students Under 18 Years of Age

If you are under 18 years old, you must ensure you have adequate accommodation, support, and general welfare arrangements in place for the duration of your visa or until you turn 18.

If your welfare arrangements are approved by your education provider, you cannot travel to Australia until your welfare arrangements commence. The welfare start date is determined by your education provider and specified in the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation/Welfare Arrangements (CAAW) letter.

If a student guardian is providing for your welfare arrangements and needs to leave Australia without you, you must make alternative welfare arrangements approved by the relevant authorities. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your visa.

'No Further Stay' Condition

Some visas are issued with a 'no further stay' condition, which means you cannot apply to extend your stay in Australia beyond the specified date on your visa, except in certain circumstances.

Reporting Changes in Circumstances

It is essential to inform the relevant authorities if your circumstances change, such as a new residential address, a new passport, or changes in your family situation (e.g., pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship, or death). Changes should be reported through ImmiAccount, or by using the appropriate forms if ImmiAccount is not accessible:

• Form 929 - Change of address and/or passport details
• Form 1022 - Notification of changes in circumstances

Family Members

Dependent family members must also comply with their visa conditions. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of their visas and their requirement to leave Australia.

Family members must:

• Remain a member of your family for the duration of their stay in Australia
• Have adequate financial support
• Maintain adequate health cover
• Work no more than 40 hours per fortnight, starting only after you have commenced your course
• Attend school if they are of school age

It is your responsibility to ensure that your family members meet these conditions.