Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Definitions

Students must meet minimum entry requirements to study at CIT (these requirements will vary depending on your program and country of origin):

  • ACT Year 10 or equivalent*
    (A copy of your award and results are required);

OR

  • ACT Year 12 Senior Secondary Certificate or equivalent*
    (A copy of your award and results are required)
For more information on entry requirements and how to apply, download our How to Apply Guide.

*Students can still apply to study at CIT prior to receiving their certificate; however, acceptance cannot be confirmed until International Services Unit has received a copy of the certificate.

Adult Entry

Adult entry is available for DoHA low risk evidentiary level candidates aged 20 or over. Applicants must provide evidence of current or most recent employment.

Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) should include full employment and educational history, including dates and positions held for at least the last five years. Adult entrants are still required to meet all student visa criteria as set by the DoHA.

Please note: Eligibility for Adult Entry is determined by course entry requirements in conjunction with your country of origin requirements as set  by DoHA. 

For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500

CIT English Tests

The CIT English Test or Versants English test is available to DoHA low risk evidentiary level applicants who are applying through a CIT Educational Agent. The CIT English Test is conducted at CIT’s English Language Centre. This test is approximately one-hour and assesses your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

The Versants test is taken online and can take up to one hour. This test assesses your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. These tests are another way to determine your current level of English.

Contact us to find out how to sit the CIT English Placement Test.

English Language Requirements

CIT recognises a number of English language tests as meeting the Institution’s English language requirements including:

Please refer to each program for its specific English requirements. If your English Language Test is not listed above, please contact us for further advice.

IELTS Equivalence Table

Please note
  • The above information is a guide for overall IELTS equivalence; please refer to course specific information for full IELTS minimum requirement to include band scores.
  • IELTS 5.0 overall is the minimum test score where combined with at least 10 weeks ELICOS.
  • IELTS 4.5 overall is the minimum test score where combined with at least 20 weeks ELICOS
  • The Occupational English Test includes a mark between A and E. An A or B is considered a pass.
  • The test must have been taken no more than two years before you apply for your student visa.

IELTS

IELTS gives students an assessment of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English. There are two streams of IELTS that you can undertake:

  • IELTS Academic Module
  • IELTS General Training Module

CIT accepts both General Training and Academic Module for entry into Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level programs (with the exception of the Diploma of Nursing, which requires an Academic IELTS result). For more information regarding IELTS visit www.ielts.org

Where can I sit IELTS?

There are several options for you to sit the IELTS test. Listed below are some options for you:

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

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.

For further information regarding the Department of Home Affairs' GTE requirement visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500/genuine-temporary-entrant

Statement of Purpose

All applications must be accompanied by a ‘Statement of Purpose’. The Statement of Purpose must include the following information:

Personal information

  1. Your name and date of birth
  2. Are you married? If yes:
    • how long have you been married?
    • do you live together?
    • do you have children?
    • will your spouse/children accompany you to study in Australia?
  3. Do you have relatives in Australia? If yes:
    • where?
    • how are they related to you?
      for example: sister/brother/aunt/uncle/mother/father

Your motivation for study in your chosen course

  1. What CIT course are you applying for?
  2. What is your interest and motivation to apply for this course with CIT?
  3. How have you prepared for this field of study with CIT?
  4. How does the CIT course you have chosen relate to your background (your work experience, previous education or future career goals)?
  5. What do you intend to do on completion of your studies with CIT?
  6. What value will the completed course have on your future career?
  7. If you have completed your last educational qualification more than a year ago, what have you been doing since that time?

Evidence of independent research

  1. Provide evidence of the independent research you have completed to find out more about your CIT course content and subjects.
  2. What research have you done on alternate study options:
    • in your home country
    • at other providers in Canberra
    • in Australia
    • in other countries.

Why CIT and Australia is a good fit for you

  1. Why did you choose to apply for the course with CIT rather than study at another Educational provider you have researched:
    • in Canberra
    • in Australia
    • in other countries
    • in your home country.
  2. How does the cost of studies with CIT compare to study elsewhere in:
    • in Canberra
    • in Australia
    • in other countries
    • in your home country.
  3. How do you plan to fund your study, accommodation and living costs in Australia?
  4. What do you know about Canberra as a study destination?

This information may be requested to be provided to the Department of Home Affairs in support of your student visa application.

For more information download our Statement of Purpose Guide (650Kb PDF).