Working Holiday Visa Ending? Studying in Australia Could Be Your Next Step.
If your Working Holiday Visa is approaching expiry and you're not ready to leave Australia, studying may be one option worth exploring.
Not ready to say goodbye to your friends — or Australia?
Find Out What Study Options May Suit You
Tell us a little about your situation and our team can help you explore your next steps.
Can You Go From a Working Holiday Visa to Studying in Australia?
Depending on your circumstances and conditions attached to your current visa, applying for a Student Visa may be an option after holding a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) or Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462).
For many people, Australia starts as an adventure. You travel, work, meet new people and build a life here, then suddenly your Working Holiday Visa is close to its expiry date and going home doesn't feel quite as exciting. If you're genuinely interested in further study, undertaking an Australian qualification may be a pathway worth exploring. However, a Student Visa is not simply an extension of a Working Holiday Visa. Its primary purpose is study, and your course choice and individual circumstances matter.
Not sure whether study is right for you?
Tell us about your current visa and what you're interested in studying.
What International Students Say About Study Gurus
"I am immensely grateful for the team's support and guidance for my visa application. They are highly knowledgeable, professional, and responded to my inquiries so quick. Highly recommended agency!"
— Joann Bitoy"My sincerely heartfelt gratitude goes out to the team at Study Gurus for renewing my student visa. They've done an excellent job making sure the entire process was simple and stress-free."
— Pagave Puana"Everything has been so well organised and clearly laid out, which made things feel a lot less overwhelming. They have a real talent for breaking things down into simple, manageable steps!"
— Amelia FoxCould Studying in Australia Be Worth Exploring?
Start by asking yourself these questions. You don't need to know all the answers yet — that's what Study Gurus can help you work through.
Choosing the Right Course Matters
Don't choose a course simply because you want to remain in Australia. Your course should make sense for your interests, background and genuine study goals. Australia offers a wide range of courses for international students, and Study Gurus can help you compare your options based on what you genuinely want to study, your previous education and experience, your future career goals, course entry requirements, tuition fees and payment options, your preferred Australian city or region, course duration and available intake dates.
Cookery & Hospitality
Explore practical qualifications in commercial cookery, kitchen management, patisserie and hospitality management.
Aged Care & Community Services
Explore qualifications in individual support, aged care, disability support and related community-service fields.
Building & Construction
Explore trade-related study options such as carpentry, bricklaying, painting, plastering and wall and floor tiling.
How Study Gurus Can Help
You don't need to contact dozens of colleges or work everything out by yourself.
Explore Your Options
Talk through what you'd like to study, where you'd like to live and what you're hoping to achieve.
Compare Courses
Explore suitable courses, education providers, fees, locations and entry requirements.
Course Enrolment
Get support preparing and submitting your course application and navigating the enrolment process.
Understand Your Next Steps
Understand the steps involved in progressing from course selection through enrolment and, where relevant, visa assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process of switching from a Working Holiday Visa to a Student Visa?
The process can feel complicated when you're researching it alone, but let's break it down.
Explore
Compare courses, locations and education providers that may suit your goals.
Enrol
Apply to your chosen education provider and complete their enrolment requirements.
Receive Your CoE
The provider will issue your Confirmation of Enrolment.
Visa Application
Prepare and submit your Student Visa application.
What happens during the enrolment process?
Once you've identified a suitable course, the next stage is applying to the education provider and completing the enrolment process.
Prepare Your Enrolment Documents
Depending on the provider and course, this may include your passport, previous academic certificates, transcripts, English-language evidence, employment information and other supporting documents.
Receive and Review Your Offer
If accepted, the provider will generally issue an offer outlining your course, commencement date, duration, tuition fees, payment requirements and enrolment conditions.
Accept Your Offer
Complete the education provider's acceptance requirements and arrange any required initial tuition payment.
Receive Your Confirmation of Enrolment
Once the enrolment requirements are satisfied, your education provider can issue your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which is an important document in the Student Visa process.
What are the Student Visa requirements?
Requirements vary depending on individual circumstances, but there are several important areas Student Visa applicants may need to address.
Confirmation of Enrolment
You generally need a valid Confirmation of Enrolment for your registered course.
Genuine Student Requirement
Applicants need to demonstrate that study is genuinely the primary reason for applying for the Student Visa.
English Language
Depending on your circumstances and course, evidence of your English-language ability may be required.
Financial Capacity
Applicants may need to demonstrate sufficient funds for relevant tuition, living and travel costs.
Health Cover
Appropriate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is generally required for Student Visa holders.
Other Requirements
Health, character, identity and other supporting documentation may also be required depending on your circumstances.
What is the Genuine Student Requirement?
The Genuine Student requirement is an important part of Australia's Student Visa process. Its purpose is to demonstrate that studying is genuinely the primary reason for your Student Visa application.
This means your choice of course matters. Depending on your circumstances, information considered as part of the visa process may relate to the following.
- Your current personal circumstances
- Your previous study and employment history
- Why you have selected your proposed course
- Why you want to study with your chosen education provider
- How the course may benefit your future
- Other relevant aspects of your personal circumstances and study plans
If you are currently in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, it's particularly important that your proposed study pathway makes sense for your genuine education goals.
Can I apply for a Student Visa after a Working Holiday Visa?
Can I study while I'm on my Working Holiday Visa?
Do I need to choose a course before applying for a Student Visa?
What course should I choose?
Can Study Gurus help me enrol?
Does applying for a Student Visa guarantee I can stay in Australia?
My Working Holiday Visa expires soon. When should I start?
Not Ready to Say Goodbye to Australia?
Your Working Holiday may be coming to an end, but if you genuinely want to study, there may be another option worth exploring. Tell us about your situation and let Study Gurus help you understand your next steps.
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