Aohua provides comprehensive study abroad services covering all stages of education, from primary school, secondary school, and high school to university. Our services include English language course applications, academic program applications, and corresponding visa assistance. We are committed to supporting students and their families at every step of their study abroad journey.

Australian Course Application Services

• English Language Courses（ELICOS）
• Primary and Secondary School（School Sector）
• Australian Vocational Education and Training Courses（VET）
• Australian Higher Education Courses（Higher Education）

Australian Student Visa Application Services

• Student Visa for All Levels of Study (Subclass 500)
• Student Dependent Visa (Subclass 500)
• Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)

ELICOS, short for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students, are English training programs specifically designed for international students. ELICOS can be studied as a standalone course or used as a pathway program, helping students meet the English language entry requirements for Australian universities, colleges, or vocational education institutions.

For students planning to complete their primary and secondary education in Australia, Aohua provides comprehensive services including student assessment, school selection, course applications, health examinations, visa applications, guardian visa arrangements, and pre-departure guidance.

The Australian primary and secondary education system is generally divided into three stages: Stage 1 – Pre-Primary to Year 6 (7 years in total); Stage 2 – Lower Secondary School (Years 7–10); and Stage 3 – Senior Secondary School (Years 11–12).

The Australian education system focuses on the holistic development of students. In addition to academic achievement, it places strong emphasis on personal growth, social skills, and innovative thinking. This system provides students with a learning environment full of opportunities and challenges, helping them build a strong foundation for the future.

Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are career-focused and practical programs designed to develop industry skills and hands-on experience. They are ideal for international students who wish to enter the workforce quickly through short-term study or continue to higher education pathways. VET courses are offered by various TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes and registered private training providers known as RTOs (Registered Training Organisations).

Aohua has extensive experience in higher education applications, including transnational education programs such as undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 pathways, as well as postgraduate 1+1 programs. In addition, many of our students choose to continue directly into postgraduate studies in Australia after completing their bachelor’s degrees. With extensive case experience in academic assessment, university selection, and application planning, we are committed to providing every student with personalised and efficient study abroad services.

Australia has long been recognised as a safe and welcoming destination for international students and remains highly popular among Chinese students. According to UNESCO statistics in 2025, Australia ranked third globally for the number of Chinese international students, following only the United States and the United Kingdom. More than 75% of these students were enrolled in higher education programs such as master’s and doctoral degrees. Although Australian universities are not large in number overall, they perform exceptionally well in global academic rankings. The eight members of the Group of Eight (Go8) consistently rank among the world’s top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings, while more than half of Australian universities are ranked within the world’s top 500. Compared with many developed countries that have much larger populations than Australia, Australian universities demonstrate outstanding overall quality and global performance.

485 Temporary Graduate Visa (Temporary Graduate Visa)

After completing at least two years of study in Australia and successfully graduating, international students may apply for the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa. The visa is generally valid for 2 to 4 years, depending on the qualification level and study location, allowing graduates to work and gain valuable experience in Australia.

Australian graduates, including international students, are highly regarded by employers in the global job market. For students returning to China, Australian qualifications are widely recognised, particularly in specialised fields such as finance, engineering, and information technology. Many international graduates from Australian universities have gone on to become business leaders, researchers, scientists, doctors, and social advocates, contributing significantly to the development of their home countries, especially across Asia.

Studying in Australia opens up endless opportunities for international students. Students can further develop independent learning and working abilities while gaining opportunities to demonstrate creativity and innovation — qualities highly valued by future employers. In Australia, students also have access to world-class universities and the opportunity to learn from internationally renowned academics and researchers.

The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) is the main visa category for international students studying in Australia. It allows students to undertake full-time study at an Australian educational institution and include eligible family members (spouse and children) as accompanying applicants. The visa duration generally covers the full length of the course.

1. Eligible Study Sectors

• Primary and Secondary School Programs
• Vocational Education and Training (VET / TAFE courses)
• Higher Education Programs (Bachelor’s degrees, Coursework Master’s degrees, etc.)
• English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
• Research Programs (Research Master’s and PhD degrees)

2. Main Visa Benefits

• Full-time study in Australia
• Permission to work part-time: currently up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods (unlimited during official holidays)
• Ability to include spouse and children as dependent applicants, along with other benefits

3. Applicant Requirements

• Hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an Australian educational institution
• Meet English language requirements (usually IELTS or equivalent results depending on the course; English preparation courses may be available in some cases)
• Meet financial requirements, including sufficient funds for tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs
• Meet health requirements and complete a satisfactory medical examination
• Maintain valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the stay, along with other visa requirements

4. Main Application Process

• Apply for an Australian course: obtain a CoE
• Medical Examination: completing the health examination before lodging the visa application is recommended to help reduce processing time
• Lodge the Student Visa Application: processing times generally range from several weeks to several months

The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) is the main visa category that allows the primary applicant to study in Australia. It also allows eligible spouses (Spouse/De facto partner) and dependent children (Dependent children) to apply together or join later as accompanying family members. This arrangement is commonly referred to as a “Student Dependent Visa,” although family members are officially granted the visa as Secondary Applicants linked to the student visa, with the same visa validity period as the primary applicant.

1. Visa Categories and Relationship

• Primary Applicant: The person who holds or applies for the Student Visa (international student)
• Secondary Applicants: Spouse/De facto partner and dependent children
• Dependent family members generally receive the same visa duration as the primary applicant, usually covering the full study period

2. Who Can Apply as Dependants

• Spouse: A valid marriage certificate can be used to prove the legal relationship
• De facto partner: Applicants generally need to provide evidence of at least 12 months of living together (such as bills, lease agreements, joint bank accounts, etc.)
• Dependent children:
  • Generally must be under 18 years old (in special circumstances, children over 18 who are financially dependent and studying full-time may also qualify)
  • Must be the biological or legally adopted child of the primary applicant or their partner
  • If studying in Australia, children must meet state or territory school enrolment requirements and tuition fees for international students may apply

3. Rights and Benefits for Dependants

• Spouse / Partner:
  • If the primary applicant is studying a Master’s or PhD program, the spouse is generally permitted to work full-time without restrictions
  • If the primary applicant is studying a Bachelor’s degree or lower-level course, the spouse is generally limited to working no more than 48 hours per fortnight
  • The spouse may also study in Australia without course-type restrictions
• Children:
  • Children may attend school in Australia (international student tuition fees may apply, although some states may offer exemptions for primary school students)

4. When to Apply

• Combined Application: Apply together with the primary applicant’s Student Visa application
• Subsequent Entrant Application: Spouse or children may apply separately after the primary applicant’s visa has been granted

5. Main Requirements and Supporting Documents

• Spouse / De facto Partner:
  • Relationship evidence (marriage certificate or de facto relationship documents)
  • Evidence of shared living arrangements and financial interdependence (lease agreements, joint bank accounts, bills, etc.)
  • Identity documents (passport, photographs)
  • English language ability (in some cases, applicants may need to demonstrate Functional English or pay an additional language training charge)
• Children:
  • Birth certificate showing both parents’ details
  • If the parents are separated or divorced, consent documents from the other parent may be required
  • Australian school enrolment confirmation or tuition payment evidence (if schooling has been arranged)
• All accompanying family members must also provide:
  • Health examinations (medical checks)
  • Valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) covering all applicants
  • Financial evidence showing sufficient funds for living expenses, tuition fees, airfare, and related costs (according to Department requirements)

6. Important Notes

• Applicants should ensure relationship and financial evidence is comprehensive before applying, as insufficient documentation may lead to refusal
• Children attending compulsory education in Australia are generally required to pay international student tuition fees unless exemptions apply in certain states
• The spouse’s work rights are directly linked to the course type of the primary applicant
• If secondary applicants lodge their application while in Australia, they generally need to hold a visa that allows a Student Visa application to be made onshore
• The visa validity period usually extends until the end date of the primary applicant’s CoE, with an additional extension period of approximately 1–2 months (for example, courses ending at the end of the year are often extended until 15 March of the following year)

Australia’s Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa is designed for parents, guardians, or eligible relatives who wish to accompany and care for international students under the age of 18 holding a Student Visa (Subclass 500), or students who require guardianship due to special circumstances.

This visa can be lodged together with the student’s Student Visa application or applied for after the student visa has been granted.

Main Purpose

• To accompany and care for the student during their stay and studies in Australia
• The guardian is generally required to live with the student while guardianship is required and cannot leave Australia without the student unless special arrangements are approved

Guardianship Requirements by Education Level

1. Primary School Students
   • Must be cared for directly by a parent; relatives or homestay arrangements are generally not accepted as substitutes
2. Secondary School Students
   • May be cared for by parents, eligible relatives, or an approved homestay arrangement authorised by the educational institution

Applicant Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must be the student’s parent, legal guardian, or eligible relative (such as siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.)
• Must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to support both the student and the guardian during their stay in Australia
• Must meet health and character requirements
• Generally cannot bring children under 6 years old to Australia unless special exemptions apply

Rights and Restrictions

Permitted Activities:

• Providing care and support for the student
• Undertaking short-term study for up to 3 months

Restrictions:

• No work rights in Australia
• Cannot undertake long-term study

Visa Validity

• Usually granted for the same duration as the student’s visa
• If the student turns 18 during the visa period, the Subclass 590 visa will generally cease when the student turns 18 unless special circumstances apply

Example Supporting Documents

• Student’s Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
• Proof of relationship or guardianship arrangements with the student
• Financial evidence and other supporting documents

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