Student Visas are available in 7 categories, depending on the principal course of study, being:

• Independent ELICOS: English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students. This visa is for those who are only coming for the English course, but it is not a visa to study English prior to further courses.
• Vocational Education and Training (VET): A VET course is at Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Certificate level, as is taken in Australia at a Government Funded Technical and further Education (TAFE) college, or a privately funded college.
• Higher Education: A University bachelor degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.
• Masters and Doctorate Study: A Masters degree by coursework or by research, and a Doctorate(PhD).
• Schools: A primary or secondary school course of study, or a secondary exchange student program.
• Non-Award Foundation (Other Sector): Any study course where there is no formal educational award or certificate.
• AusAID or Defence Sponsored: You must provide evidence that you are sponsored by either AusAID or a Defence scholarship.