Welfare Arrangement for students under 18
Welfare Arrangement for students under 18
In Australia, if you are an international student under the age of 18, you must have welfare arrangements in place before you can obtain a student visa. The welfare arrangement for students under 18 ensures that you have appropriate accommodation, support, and general welfare while you are in Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs requires all international students under 18 years of age to have a welfare arrangement for students under 18 that provides accommodation, support, and general welfare until they turn 18 or complete their studies, whichever comes first. The welfare arrangement for students under 18 must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs, and there are two types of approved welfare arrangement for students under 18 in Australia:
- Parental/Guardian Approval
If your parents or guardians are living with you in Australia, they can act as your welfare provider, and no additional approval is required.
- Welfare Provider Approval
If your parents or guardians are not living with you in Australia, you need to have an approved welfare provider, who will take responsibility for your accommodation, support, and general welfare. The welfare provider can be a relative or a friend who is over the age of 21.
The approved welfare provider will be responsible for:
- Providing suitable accommodation, which must meet specific standards
- Ensuring that you attend school regularly
- Ensuring that you receive adequate food and clothing
- Ensuring that you receive appropriate medical and dental care
- Providing support and guidance to you during your stay in Australia.
To obtain welfare provider approval, your welfare provider must submit an application to the Department of Home Affairs. The application must include personal details, character references, a police clearance certificate, and proof of financial capacity to support you.
Once the welfare provider is approved, they will receive a letter of approval from the Department of Home Affairs, which they must provide to you and to your education provider. The education provider will then confirm that the welfare arrangement for students under 18 is in place before issuing a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and the student visa.
A welfare arrangement for students under 18 is essential for international students under the age of maturity studying in Australia. If you are under 18, you must have an approved welfare provider to ensure that you have appropriate accommodation, support, and general welfare during your stay in Australia.
If you turn 18 before arriving in Australia as an international student, you will not require a welfare arrangement as you are considered an adult in the country. However, if you turn 18 while studying in Australia, you will need to ensure that you have a suitable welfare arrangement for students under 18 in place until you turn 18. This is because under Australian law, individuals under the age of 18 are considered minors and require appropriate care and support while in the country.
For students who turn 18 after arriving in Australia, they are required to have a welfare arrangement in place until their 18th birthday. The welfare arrangement for students under mature age is designed to ensure that the student is cared for and supported while studying in Australia. This arrangement can be in the form of living with a relative or designated guardian, staying in a Homestay program, or residing in a student accommodation facility with appropriate supervision.
It's important to note that the welfare arrangement for students needs to be approved by the Australian government. The student's educational institution will be responsible for ensuring that the welfare arrangement for students under 18 is in place and meets the necessary requirements.
So, international students who turn 18 before arriving in Australia do not require a welfare arrangement for students , while those who turn 18 while studying in Australia need to have a suitable arrangement in place until they reach adulthood. The welfare arrangement for students needs to be approved by the Australian government and can include living with a relative or designated guardian, Homestay, or student accommodation with appropriate supervision.
The Length of Arrangements
If a student turns 18 while they are studying in Australia, their welfare arrangement for students under 18 will usually continue until the end of their course or until they turn 19, whichever comes first. This means that even if the student turns 18 during their course, they will still be required to have appropriate welfare arrangements in place until they complete their studies or reach the age of 19.
On the other hand, if a student turns 18 before they arrive in Australia, they will not be required to have a welfare arrangement for students under mature age in place. This is because the student will be considered an adult upon arrival and will be responsible for their own welfare and wellbeing. However, if the student is under 18 and is traveling to Australia with a guardian or family member, the guardian or family member will need to have an appropriate welfare arrangement for students under 18 in place for the duration of their stay.
It is important to note that the length of welfare arrangement for students may also differ depending on the type of visa the student holds. For example, students on a student visa may be required to have a welfare arrangement for students under 18 in place for the entire duration of their stay in Australia, while students on other types of visas may only need to have welfare arrangements in place for a specific period of time.
In any case, it is the responsibility of the student, their parents or legal guardians, and their education provider to ensure that appropriate welfare arrangements are in place. These arrangements may include a nominated guardian, accommodation, and access to appropriate medical and support services.
Visa Application
If you are an overseas student under the age of 18 planning to study in Australia, you must have a welfare agreement in place before applying for your student visa. A welfare arrangement for students under 18 is an agreement between you, your education provider, and a guardian who will take responsibility for your accommodation, support, and general welfare while you are studying in Australia.
The welfare arrangement for students under 18 is a requirement to ensure that international students under the age of maturity have adequate support and care while they are away from home. It is designed to protect the welfare of international students and ensure that they have access to appropriate support and assistance while they are studying in Australia.
To apply for your student visa, you will need to provide evidence of your welfare arrangement. This will include details of your guardian, including their name, address, and contact details. Your education provider will also be responsible for monitoring your welfare throughout your course.
It is important to note that if your welfare arrangement for students under 18 is not in place before you apply for your student visa, your visa application may be refused. It is therefore essential that you have your welfare arrangement in place before you apply for your student visa.
Alternative Arrangements
An alternative welfare arrangement for students under 18 can take many forms, including staying with a nominated guardian, living in a homestay arrangement, or residing in an approved student accommodation facility with supervision. The specific welfare arrangement that is appropriate for a student will depend on a variety of factors, including the student's age, maturity, and individual circumstances.
To apply for an alternative welfare arrangement, students must complete a welfare arrangement application form, which is available from the Department of Home Affairs website. The form requires the student to provide details about their proposed welfare arrangements, including the name and contact information of their proposed guardian or carer. The form must be completed and submitted before the student's visa application can be processed.
Once the welfare arrangement application has been submitted, the Department of Home Affairs will assess the application to determine whether the proposed arrangement is appropriate for the student. This assessment may include a review of the proposed guardian or carer's suitability, criminal history checks, and an assessment of the accommodation arrangements.
It's important to note that the Department of Home Affairs may request additional information or documentation to support the welfare arrangement application. This may include a letter of support from the proposed guardian or carer, evidence of financial support, or evidence of suitable accommodation arrangements.
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