If you are applying for a Student visa inside or outside Australia, you will need to meet some general requirements. These requirements apply to all people wishing to study in Australia.

The Student Visa - Step-by-Step' can show you how to meet the general requirements. Basic requirements are:

Health insurance
You will need to show that you have adequate health insurance for the duration of your planned stay in Australia.

You will need to show that you:
* have obtained Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or
* are an unaccompanied student sponsored by AusAID or Defence, or
* are a Norwegian student covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme, or
* are a Swedish student covered by either CSN (the Swedish National Board of Student Aid) or by Kammarkollegiet.

Debts to the Commonwealth
To enter Australia, you must have:
* no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia, or
* made acceptable arrangements to repay any outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia.

If you believe that you may have an outstanding debt, you should contact the relevant Government agency to arrange repayment.

Character
You must be of good character to enter Australia. The information you provide at the 'Character Declaration' section of form 157A, Application for a student (temporary) visa, (subclasses 570 - 576) generally enables an assessment to be made in respect of your character.

Custody and welfare if you are under 18 years of age
You will need permission to apply for a student visa from all the adults with legal custody of you. The adults will all need to:
* sign your student visa application, or
* supply a statutory declaration giving you permission to travel to Australia as a student.

You will not be allowed to study in Australia while you are under 18 years of age unless:
* you are accompanied by a parent or legal custodian,
* you stay with a suitable relative, or
* your education provider provides a written statement saying that your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements are appropriate.