International Students

The GTE requirement is used by the Australian Government to ensure the student visa program is accessed by students who genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for study purposes.

If a student has been shortlisted after the audition/interview application process, they will need to complete the following tasks before NIDA can make a formal offer:

1. Complete a Financial Declaration form.
2. Provide financial documents to prove financial support, and
3. Take part in an interview  to complete their Genuine Temporary Entry (GTE)  check.

Shortlisted international applicants will be contacted about a conditional offer and we will work with them to set up a suitable interview time.

GTE interviews will be conducted by a member of NIDA’s student engagement staff.

It is a requirement of NIDA that international students have a satisfactory level of English language proficiency. NIDA requires that students have an English language proficiency equivalent to an overall band score of 7.0 or 8.0 IELTS, depending on the course.

Information on IELTS and testing centres in your country is available on the IELTS website.

International applicants for courses other than Acting are required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency at their interview.

Short-listed international applicants for the Acting course are required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency by the end of the first week of December in order to be considered further in the selection process.

This requirement may be waived for applicants that have completed their high school studies in English.

Student visa application fees

The amount charged for the student visa application is dependent on the type of visa. Please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs for visa information.

Applying for a student visa

A student visa application can be made once you have received a formal written offer from NIDA.

A formal written offer will only be made to applicants who have been successful in both their course interview/audition and their Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) interview.

For information on how to apply for a student visa go to the Study Australia website.

You may be required to undergo medical examinations and a chest x-ray as part of your student visa application.

It is expected that all students will be available to start on the first day of the NIDA year, with the first week for new students being Welcome Week. If there is a valid reason for not attending from the first day, such as a visa issue, commencing students can seek permission to miss some or all of the first week. However, commencing students must be available to start classes at NIDA on the first day of the second week of the NIDA year, otherwise they will not be permitted to start the course in that year and will have to reapply for entry in the following year.

You must have acceptable health insurance cover for the period of your intended stay in Australia. You will be required to provide evidence that you have paid Overseas Student Health Cover for your study term before you are permitted to commence your course at NIDA. This is also a condition of your visa.

To meet this requirement, you should pay for overseas student health cover (OSHC) for yourself and any family members who will live with you in Australia. The OSHC provides medical and hospital insurance.

For information on OSHC (including details of OSHC providers) please refer to the Study in Australia website.

Students studying in Australia must satisfy the health requirements specified in the migration regulations.

Before applying for a course at NIDA, you should consider your financial responsibilities as a full-time international student in Australia. You will have to prove your financial capacity to cover tuition fees, travel and living costs, and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

The courses have high contact hours with a minimum of 40 hours per week, leaving little time to undertake any outside work while studying.

Tuition fees

The Australian Government requires all international students to pay full fees to cover tuition in Australia. International students must pay their annual tuition fees by the due date on the invoice.

2024 International Fee Schedules

• Undergraduate Tuition Fee Schedule International Students 2024
• Graduate Tuition Fee Schedule International Students 2024

2025 International Fee Schedules

• Undergraduate Tuition Fee Schedule International Students 2025
• Graduate Tuition Fee Schedule International Students 2025

Please also refer to NIDA’s International Students Fee Policy including refunds.

International students must also ensure they have the financial resources to cover the cost of living while in Australia, as international students are not eligible for Australian government student financial assistance.

International full fee-paying students are not eligible for public transport concession, unless they are receiving an Australian government scholarship.

International students accepted into NIDA are responsible for all arrangements concerning entry into and residence in Australia. This includes visas and health insurance. Please go to the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection for further information.

We estimate that you need approximately AUD$20,000 to cover living expenses in Sydney for each year of study.

In addition, we recommend that you have at least AUD$2000 when you arrive to cover the initial costs of books, rental bond and furniture.

These figures do not include large household items (such as a refrigerator) or a car. We recommend that you use public transport, as owning a car can be expensive and there is very limited parking near NIDA.

International students are required to demonstrate and/or declare to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection that they have genuine access to sufficient funds to be granted a student visa. For more details see the Study in Australia website.

The ESOS Act is Australian government legislation that sets consistent standards for education providers that offer courses to international students.

ESOS Act – https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00210

National Code – https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01182

The framework is designed to ensure the quality of education and support services for international students is high.

It is also designed to provide a consistent approach to international education and to support the integrity of the student visa system. It is a robust system that protects and enhances the experiences of international students in Australia.

The framework sets out:

• The education provider’s (NIDA’s) responsibilities to international students
• Your responsibilities as an international student

Within this framework, NIDA is responsible for:

• Providing to an international student before enrolling, current and accurate information about the courses, fees, modes of study, and other information from NIDA.
• Providing a written enrolment agreement before the payment of fees, setting out:
  • the services to be provided,
  • fees payable,
  • information about refunds of tuition fee money.
• Provide an orientation and access to support services to help international students adjust to life in Australia.
• NIDA’s orientation is delivered in person on arrival at NIDA and via an induction module. A range of personal and academic support services is to be available to all students.
• Take all reasonable steps to provide a safe environment on campus or premises and advise overseas students and staff on actions they can take to enhance their personal security and safety.
• Provide the contact details of an officer/s who are able to assist international students.

Student Services and Quality Assurance office.
[email protected]

• Provide information around whether or not you can apply for course credit/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and the impact this might have on course lengths and visa lengths.
• Information on when your enrolment can be deferred, suspended or cancelled, and the circumstances under which fees will be refunded.

Information is to be found on NIDA’s website under student policies. Relevant policies include NIDA’s Student Code of Conduct, Assessment policies, and Misconduct and/or Sexual Harassment policies. /courses/policies

• Information on what NIDA considers to be satisfactory academic progress.

Rules of progression for international students are included in the Academic Progression and Intervention Policy and in Course Regulations on a discipline basis. /courses/policies

• Advice as to whether or not attendance will be monitored for your course.

NIDA requires students to attend all timetabled classes, scheduled projects and activities unless there are exceptional circumstances. All applications for exemption from attendance at classes of any kind must be made in writing to the relevant Course Leader. Attendance is monitored. /courses/policies

• Information about the available complaints and appeals policies and processes. Students who wish to make a complaint may do so using NIDA’s Complaints and Appeals processes – policies and eForms at  /courses/policies.

• The quality of educational delivery. NIDA is a nationally registered provider of higher education degrees and registered  to deliver education for overseas students

Higher Education Provider ID: PRV12052 | CRICOS CODE: 00756M

Teqsa.gov.au | CRICOS.eduvation.gov.au

• Notifying students in writing in advance of any changes impacting their studies; including changes to services.

NIDA communicates via their NIDA student email regarding all and any changes that may impact on students’ studies, including changes to services. Information is also communicated monthly via the ‘All School’ meeting and the Student Council of NIDA (SCON).

• Providing international students with the opportunity to request to transfer to another education provider and to assess that request in line with Standard 7 of the National Code and NIDA’s International Student Transfer Policy
• Issuing final academic record documentation that aligns with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)  http://www.aqf.edu.au

All students who complete their studies will be provided with a testamur and an academic transcript. Students who leave prior to course completion will receive a partial transcript of their result. At any time a NIDA student can generate a statement of results from their student portal account.

International students are responsible for:

• Maintain the conditions of your student visa.
• Maintain your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of your stay Visit Private Health for more information.
• Meet the terms of the written agreement with your education provider (NIDA).
• Inform your education provider (NIDA) of your Australian address and notify them within seven days if you change your address or other contact details.
• Maintain satisfactory course progress
• Maintain satisfactory attendance
• Follow NIDA policies and procedures, including the NIDA Code of Conduct.
• Attend the orientation sessions to learn more about programs and courses. Explore the services available to students, including how to access and utilise NIDA systems.
• Ensure that your contact details are always current. You need to let us know:

Address
Phone
Email
Emergency Contact

If any of these change while you are studying you must tell NIDA the new information within 7 days of the change.

• Not transfer to another provider prior to the first six months of his or her principal course.

For more information about the ESOS framework:

https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/study/education-system/esos-act

https://internationaleducation.gov.au/regulatory-information/Education-Services-for-Overseas-Students-ESOS-Legislative-Framework/National-Code/Pages/default.aspx

As an international student, you have access to the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) if necessary. This is a placement and refund service for international students, which activates if for any reason NIDA is unable to teach your course.

For more information go to : https://www.dese.gov.au/tps

If you have any questions about being an international student at NIDA contact [email protected]

You are a NIDA student from the time you enrol until you complete your course requirements and graduate; withdraw from your course; or are expelled from a course of study.

You can enrol in your course online through your Student Portal once you have accepted your offer of a place in the course.

You must pay the fees and enrol by the specified dates, otherwise you will lose your place at NIDA.

You will be re-enrolled for each semester on the successful completion of course work from the previous semester, unless you submit an application to defer or notify Student Services of withdrawal from your course.

To leave a course before your course is completed you need to submit a Notice of Withdrawal form. Student services will contact you and advise you of the next steps in the process and will begin an offboarding process which involves ensuring you have:

• no outstanding tuition fees
• no outstanding library loans
• no NIDA equipment, including locker keys
• any scholarship payments stopped
• your access to NIDA systems removed

NB. For international students: you must report your change in enrolment status to the Department of Home Affairs via the PRISMS website.

If you believe you are eligible for a refund, you will need to apply for a refund via the application for a refund form.

All refunds will be managed through the relevant fee policy for domestic and international students.

To leave a course before your course is completed you need to submit a Notice of Withdrawal form. Student services will contact you and advise you of the next steps in the process and will begin an offboarding process which involves ensuring you have:

• no outsta

  You can delay your study if you have a compelling reason why you need to temporarily stop studying.

  To request a deferral, you must submit an Application to Defer form with evidence to support your circumstances.

  Your application will be reviewed and if your reasons are considered valid you will be granted a deferral. If a deferral is granted you will receive a letter acknowledging:

  • the approval of the deferral
  • the length of the granted deferral, and the expected date for you to restart your studies.
  • the consequence of not restarting your studies on the nominated date.
  • if you are an international student, the intention to report a course variation to the Department of Home Affairs via PRISMS. If the deferral changes your expected end date from the original CoE, you will be advised that your CoE will be cancelled and that you will need to seek advice from the Department of Home Affairs in regards to the status of your student visa.
  nding tuition fees
• no outstanding library loans
• no NIDA equipment, including locker ka

  NIDA can initiate a cancellation of your enrolment because of:

  • a breach of NIDA Code of Conduct or policies, including but not limited to the consistent disruption to the learning of others.
  • misconduct, including repeated academic misconduct.
  • illegal activities/criminal prosecution
  • failure to make academic progress
  • non-payment of tuition fees
  • poor attendance impacting academic progress
  • abandonment of your course.

  This list should not be considered exhaustive, and the Student Charter Code of Conduct and NIDA policies and Procedures should be referenced.

  If you are expelled from NIDA, you are eligible to appeal via the appropriate complaints and appeals policy.

  Academic Matters 

  Non-Academic Matters

  If at the end of any appeals process your expulsion still stands you will:

  • be required to return any NIDA property
  • not be eligible for any refund
  • receive a statement of results for any completed subjects
  • not be eligible to enrol in any future NIDA courses

  In addition to the above, international students will be advised that their enrolment cancellation will be reported as a course variation, against their confirmation of enrolment via PRISMS. They will also be informed that they need to seek advice from the Department of Home Affairs with regards to the status of their student visa.

  eys
• any scholarship payments stopped
• your access to NIDA systems removed

NB. For international students: you must report your change in enrolment status to the Department of Home Affairs via the PRISMS website.

If you believe you are eligible for a refund, you will need to apply for a refund via the application for a refund form.

All refunds will be managed through the relevant fee policy for domestic and international students.

You can delay your study if you have a compelling reason why you need to temporarily stop studying.

To request a deferral, you must submit an Application to Defer form with evidence to support your circumstances.

Your application will be reviewed and if your reasons are considered valid you will be granted a deferral. If a deferral is granted you will receive a letter acknowledging:

• the approval of the deferral

  NIDA can initiate a cancellation of your enrolment because of:

  • a breach of NIDA Code of Conduct or policies, including but not limited to the consistent disruption to the learning of others.
  • misconduct, including repeated academic misconduct.
  • illegal activities/criminal prosecution
  • failure to make academic progress
  • non-payment of tuition fees
  • poor attendance impacting academic progress
  • abandonment of your course.

  This list should not be considered exhaustive, and the Student Charter Code of Conduct and NIDA policies and Procedures should be referenced.

  If you are expelled from NIDA, you are eligible to appeal via the appropriate complaints and appeals policy.

  Academic Matters 

  Non-Academic Matters

  If at the end of any appeals process your expulsion still stands you will:

  • be required to return any NIDA property
  • not be eligible for any refund
  • receive a statement of results for any completed subjects
  • not be eligible to enrol in any future NIDA courses

  In addition to the above, international students will be advised that their enrolment cancellation will be reported as a course variation, against their confirmation of enrolment via PRISMS. They will also be informed that they need to seek advice from the Department of Home Affairs with regards to the status of their student visa.

• the length of the granted deferral, and the expected date for you to restart your studies.
• the consequence of not restarting your studies on the nominated date.
• if you are an international student, the intention to report a course variation to the Department of Home Affairs via PRISMS. If the deferral changes your expected end date from the original CoE, you will be advised that your CoE will be cancelled and that you will need to seek advice from the Department of Home Affairs in regards to the status of your student visa.

Below is a brief description of documents required by every international applicant. These are required for NIDA to assess your application and if you are successful, to make you a formal offer.

All documents must be in English or include certified English translations.

Additional documentation specific to your case may be required beyond what is listed here. We will contact you in the event these are required.

As part of your application you will need to supply the following:

• Visa/passport: all applicants are required to provide a copy of their passport. International applicants already onshore should also provide a copy of their current visa. If you are applying as a permanent resident, please provide a copy of your passport so that your residency can be verified. If your PR has not been approved, you will be considered as an international student and must apply as an international applicant.
• Proof of English: all international applicants must meet NIDA’s English language requirements when submitting an application. Please note that NIDA does not accept TOEFL myBest scores.
• Official academic transcripts: applicants need to provide a scanned or electronic copy of transcripts for all tertiary degrees completed or attempted, including current degrees. Transcripts need to include both grade and unit for each course. All pages of one transcript, including the original language copy, should be provided in one document.
• Grading systems: these are an official document from your school/college/university with an explanation of what specific scores/grades mean at their university/institution. These must be provided for each university you have attended.

If you are made an offer you will need to provide the following:

• As an international applicant to NIDA, if you are made an offer you must demonstrate that you can financially support yourself for the duration of your studies.  You must complete the GTE/Financial Declaration Form and, if required, submit evidence of your capacity to fund all living costs, fees and other associated costs. For required fund amounts, please visit Fees.

You will need to provide:

• Bank statements from the last six months, showing funds available for a minimum of three years for a Bachelor program or 15 months for a Master’s program.

If the bank account is held under a different name, the account holder must declare that the funds will be used for your degree fees and costs

• Proof of completion: these are certificates of completion for prior degrees. If you are currently studying, the testamur for this degree can be submitted later, once available. Your application can be provisionally assessed without these. All pages of one testamur, including the original language copy, should be provided in one document.

NB. Documents will be verified at a later date. You must be prepared to present your original documents to NIDA for inspection prior to enrolment if requested, so you will need to bring your original documents with you. Additionally, NIDA may verify your documents with your home institution. If your documents can’t be verified, you may be required to bring the originals to NIDA for verification.