Study Abroad Program

For students who want to study for more than 12 months, see: Standard application for secondary schools.

Picture yourself studying abroad in Melbourne and Victoria

Whether you choose the city of Melbourne or our student cities across Victoria, this is one of the best places in the world to live and study abroad.

Melbourne has sport, food and fashion to suit every taste, and there are activities to suit every interest. Victoria's quality education is matched by one of the highest standards of living in the world.

For more information on this application type, see Study Abroad brochure and Application Process.

Hear from Study Abroad students and why they chose to study in Victoria

Picture yourself with a wide range of subjects

The Victorian school curriculum offers students the opportunity to study new and interesting subjects that will widen your view of the world and give you a strong foundation for future personal and career success.

Whatever your interest areas or career ambitions – we've got the subjects for you.

We have dance, theatre, music, photography and design subjects for striving performers and artists.

We have robotics, coding, engineering, outdoor and environmental studies and all the traditional science subjects for aspiring scientists and app developers.

We also have psychology, economics, fashion and plenty more to give you a taste of university life.

Studying in Victoria gives you the freedom to take responsibility and make decisions about the subjects you want to study. For more information on subjects, see: Curriculum and Assessment.

Entry requirements

Age requirements

All school students must be of an appropriate age for the entry level for their school course, regardless of their country of citizenship. To be granted a visa for school studies, the student must meet the below Migration Regulations 1994.

Entry level and upper age limits

Study Abroad students can only enrol in the below year levels and must meet specific age limits.

• Year 9: less than 17 years of age
• Year 10: less than 18 years of age
• Year 11: less than 19 years of age
• Year 12: less than 20 years of age.

English language requirements

Secondary school Study Abroad students must have a good level of English language skills prior to commencing their course of study.

Prior to your arrival, our schools will assess your English proficiency level, which will determine your acceptance into the school.

Students are not required to study intensive English language classes for the Study Abroad program.

Academic requirements

Students must have achieved at least 60% on average in each core academic subject they have studied over the past 2 years. Core subjects include:

• Maths
• Sciences subjects
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
• Humanities subjects
  • Geography
  • History
  • Literature
  • Social Science
• Student’s first language and/or English.

Please contact international@education.vic.gov.au for further information.

Selecting a study period

Study Abroad students must start in the first week of school term. Study Abroad students complete their studies earlier than other international student categories. This is because Study Abroad students do not sit exams which occur at the end of Term 4.

Welfare and accommodation options

Four accommodation options are available for international students depending on your age and availability:

1. Live with a parent or legal guardian
2. Live with a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) approved relative
3. Live with a parent-nominated homestay
4. Live with a school-arranged homestay.

Students aged under 15 years must live with a parent, legal guardian or DHA approved relative (selection Option 1 or 2).

Students aged 15 and older may choose any of the four available options.

Parent-nominated homestay or school-arranged homestay accommodation must be approved by the host school. Before Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) is issued, the Accommodation Placement Fee must also be paid.

Students must be aged 15 years and over to choose homestay accommodation, see: Accommodation and Homestay.

Prior to submitting an application, applicants should check the age, welfare and accommodation requirements specified on the DHA website at: www.homeaffairs.gov.au

Finding a school

Study Abroad students must choose an accredited Victorian government study abroad school, see:

• Find an international student school
• Right School Right Place guide (PDF, 10189.96 KB)
• Accredited schools list PDF, 281.16 KB - note not all schools in this list offer homestay.

Please nominate approximately 6 government schools in your application due to enrolment capacity limitations.

Fees

Study Abroad tuition fees are based on the number of weeks in each term that you study. The cost of your study abroad program will depend on:

• your year level
• the length of your stay
• if you choose to live in a school-arranged homestay over the holidays. Additional homestay for the school holidays is charged at $290-$440 per week (indicative rate only).

To learn about the costs of studying and living in Victoria, see:

• school fees
• cost of living.