About your Application

Key

  • DoHA - Department of Home Affairs
  • SSVF - Simplified Student Visa Framework
  • OSHC - Overseas Student Health Cover
  • N/A - Not applicable
  • GTE - Genuine Temporary Entrant
  • LoO - Letter of Offer
  • CoE - Confirmation of Enrolment

Deadlines and intake dates

There are no application deadlines for international students applying to CIT. VET courses commence in February and/or July. Some courses are also available for commencement in April and October.

Student Visa processing takes time!

Are you applying for your student visa outside of Australia? Before submitting your application to study, you need to check the estimated visa processing times on the DoHA website at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500

Giving yourself the best chance for a successful student visa application starts with being prepared. Follow the student visa application process step-by-step and make sure to include all necessary documentation.

See when your preferred course starts and allow enough time to obtain a visa.

Successful applications to CIT

If your application is successful you will be issued with a LoO. A default date will be indicated on your LoO for each program. ‘Default Date’ means the final date for entry to your offered program of study.

Studies may be considered for deferral to the next intake date by informing ISU by email and providing reasons for the deferral.

Student Visas

Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF)

DoHA designed the SSVF to make the process of applying for a student visa simpler to navigate for genuine students. Under the SSVF:

  • all international students will apply for a single Student visa (subclass 500), regardless of their chosen course and level of study
  • all international students will be required to apply for their student visa online
  • a new immigration risk framework and tool is used to provide a guide of the evidence of English language, financial capacity and academic documentation that students will need to provide with their visa application.

Please refer to the following links and steps to determine your requirements:
  1. Go to the ‘Document Checklist Tool’ at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/web-evidentiary-tool
  2. Enter your ‘Country of Passport’
  3. Choose ‘Canberra Institute of Technology’ as the Education Provider (or CRICOS 00001K).
  4. Choose your student status  (typically ‘None of the above  (all other students)’)
  5. Click ‘Display evidence’ to see your Document Checklist

Genuine Temporary Entry (GTE)

The GTE requirement is a useful way to determine an applicant’s genuine intention to remain in Australia temporarily to gain a quality education. Based on the GTE requirement and individual circumstances, CIT may need further evidence to support your application and to understand your motives for applying to study and your plans to remain in Australia temporarily.

As a part of your application, you must complete the CIT GTE requirements information that will be assessed in conjunction with your academic and English requirements.

DoHA and CIT encourage applicants to read Ministerial Direction 69 before drafting your GTE statement. The GTE Statement is part of CIT’s GTE assessment and must be submitted with your application.

Further information can be found here: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500/genuine-temporary-entrant

Genuine Temporary Entry (GTE) Statement

All applications must be accompanied by a ‘GTE Statement’. A GTE Statement is detailed information outlining your aptitude and motivation for study in your chosen area of specialisation, including your preparation for the field of study, academic plans, interests and future career goals.

Find out more at  Entry Requirements

Entry to CIT on a Student Visa

To enrol in a CIT course on a student visa, you must:
  • select full-time study
  • have relevant academic qualifications
  • meet GTE requirements
  • gain temporary entry to Australia for study only
  • have relevant English language skills
    Each course outline on the CIT International website will advise the English language proficiency required for study. To obtain a student visa you may also need to meet the English language requirements specified for your country by DoHA. See ‘English Language Requirements’ for  more information.
    See English Language Requirements for more information
  • meet the prerequisites for your course
    You must meet CIT's prerequisites for the course you wish to study and DIBP’s requirements. If you do not meet the Institute’s academic entry level but are at least 20 years old, you may be eligible to apply as a mature aged student.
    See Adult Entry for more information.
  • be 18 years or over

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are payable in advance on a per-semester basis. You must pay your f irst fee as outlined on the Acceptance page in your LoO before CIT can issue a CoE. Remaining fees can be paid before each semester after you receive an invoice. You may also need to pay additional fees such as material fees for textbooks, stationery, or equipment.

See Courses to find current information on the additional fees for each course.

Overseas Health Cover

The Australian Government requires that international students have health cover for the entire duration of their visa. OSHC helps to pay for medical care you need while in Australia. To remain compliant with your visa conditions, your health cover must start BEFORE you arrive in Australia.

Read more about Overseas Health Cover.

Undertake paid work on a restricted basis only

Student visa holders may work up to 40 hours per fortnight during term and full time during holiday periods, providing it does not impact their studies. If granted a student visa, you and your dependent family members will have permission to work included with your visa. Some changes to the work restriction have been made due to COVID-19.

Please see DoHA’s website for more information.

Please note that you are not eligible to commence work until you  have enrolled and commenced your course.

Receiving a Letter of Offer

Your application will be assessed and if successful, a Letter of Offer will be issued.

Find out more about receiving a CIT Letter of Offer.

Receiving your Confirmation of Enrolment

When you have completed the steps and met the conditions outlined in your Letter of Offer (LoO) you will be requested to make payment. Once payment and additional documentation has been received by CIT, you will receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE).

Find out more about receiving a CIT Confirmation of Enrolment.

CRICOS - Protection for Overseas Students

As an overseas student on a student visa, you must study with an education provider and be enrolled in a course that can be found on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) at https://cricos.education.gov.au/

CRICOS registration guarantees that your course and education provider meet the high standards required for overseas students. Please check that the details of your course, including its location, match the information on CRICOS.

For further information regarding the rights and responsibilities of international students studying on a student visa under the ESOS Framework, please visit www.internationaleducation.gov.au/regulatory-information/pages/regulatoryinformation.aspx

Fee Payments

All initial fees for tuition (refer to 'Attachment 1' of your Letter of Offer) will need to be paid prior to studying at CIT. This includes accommodation placement, airport pick-up and Overseas Health Cover (OSHC).

  • Once a student is studying with CIT, each semester's tuition fees will be invoiced 6 weeks before the start of semester. Fees not paid by the due date on the invoice will incur a late fee of $250.
  • Invoices will be sent to your current email address. It is the responsibility of the student, and a student visa requirement, that CIT International be advised of any changes to your contact details within seven days of the changes occurring.
  • If a student is out of the country or not in Canberra at the time tuition fees are due, payment must be made before departing Canberra to meet the due date.
  • Fees can be paid by Visa, MasterCard, or electronic transfer.
  • All payments must be made in Australian dollars.
  • For bank details, please contact us.

For more information see Payment Options, Fees and Refunds.

CIT Educational Agents

CIT Educational Agents are located in countries throughout the world. They are official representatives for CIT and can help you apply for your chosen course in Canberra. CIT Educational Agents deal directly with CIT on your behalf, making the application process easier for you.

CIT can only accept applications from authorised CIT Educational Agents or directly from students.

For more information see Benefits of using a CIT Agent.

CIT's International Services Unit

The International Services Unit (ISU) is staffed by personnel who are well equipped to assist students with questions, problems or issues that they may have while studying at CIT such as stress, fitting in, study and adjusting to their new lifestyle.

To find out how they can help you apply and support you through your studies at CIT, see CIT International.

Entry Requirements

It is important to read and understand the entry requirements to apply for study at CIT.

Please see Entry Requirements for details on the following topics:

  • Academic Entry Definitions
  • Adult Entry
  • ACT Year 12 Certificate country equivalents
  • CIT English Tests
  • English Language Requirements
  • English Language Tests Equivalence Table
  • Genuine Temporary Entry
  • Statement of Purpose