Who does this information apply to?
Rules for pre-2005 PELS students on permanent visas
Proof of eligibility
What is the residency test?
How to apply for Australian citizenship
Who does this information apply to?
This information is important if you are a pre-2005 PELS student and hold a permanent visa (other than a permanent humanitarian visa).
See also: Pre-2005 PELS students
Rules for pre-2005 PELS students on permanent visas
If you are a pre-2005 PELS student and hold a permanent visa (other than a permanent humanitarian visa) you may be eligible to receive FEE-HELP until the end of 2008 or until you discontinue your studies or complete your studies, if you meet the PELS eligibility requirements set out below. Once you no longer meet these requirements you are not entitled to FEE-HELP.
If you are a pre-2005 PELS student and hold a permanent visa then you may be eligible for FEE-HELP for a unit of study. You are eligible if you:
- will be residing in Australia for the duration of the unit
Exception: The course requires you to be overseas.
- are in Australia on enrolment day
- do not satisfy the residency test on enrolment day, or if you do satisfy the residency test you first did so in the twelve months immediately preceding enrolment;and
- meet other FEE-HELP eligibility requirements.
See also: Eligibility requirements
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Proof of eligibility
If you are the holder of a permanent visa and you are eligible for FEE-HELP then you should give your provider documentation to demonstrate your eligibility. Your provider will advise you of the documents you will need to provide.
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What is the residency test?
You satisfy the residency test if:
- you hold a permanent visa
- you have been a permanent resident in Australia for periods totalling at least two years in the last five years, including at least 12 months in the last two years
Note: Any periods of time spent outside Australia since becoming a permanent resident are disregarded
See also: Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA): Australian Citizenship
Example: Lina came to Australia on 26 May 2002 on a permanent visa and she has not left Australia since. She will satisfy the residency test on 26 May 2004.
In 2005, Lina will continue with a postgraduate course of study she commenced in 2004. When Lina enrols in her units of study contributing to that course on 19 January 2005, she will be eligible for FEE-HELP because she is a pre-2005 PELS student who has not satisfied the residency test for a period of one year.
However, when Lina enrols in her units of study for her second study period on 15 July 2005, she will no longer be eligible for FEE-HELP because more than 12 months will have passed since she first satisfied the residency test.
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How to apply for Australian citizenship
You can obtain information on the eligibility requirements and the application process for becoming an Australian citizen from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) through their:
For full details on FEE-HELP see: Full Fees & FEE HELP
See also:
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