Requirements to live in Brisbane if you are a foreigner

Australia is a country that encourages the arrival of foreigners. Hurrah! However, it is also strict in terms of the requirements you must meet to obtain a visa that allows you to live in Brisbane. Below, we summarize the main ones. Take note!

Before starting your visa process

Whichever visa you apply for, you must meet a series of basic prerequisites. They are the following:

Have a valid passport and be over 18 years of age;
Submit proof of enrollment in an Australian Government accredited course;
Demonstrate that you have enough money to stay in the country (approximately $5,000 AUD) and to return home;
Traveling alone carries risks. For this reason, students must take out medical expenses insurance such as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Get the right visa to live in Brisbane

No visa, no trip! As simple as that. But fear not. It is about choosing the right type according to the experience you want to live in Brisbane. To study and work, young people like you have three main options:

Visitor Visa (subclass 600). It allows you to stay up to a year in a row and study a course of no more than three months without the possibility of working (an intensive English course is a very good option!)
Student Visa (subclass 500). You can live in Australia for up to 5 years or the duration of your course. You can study and work part time (20 hours per week). Choose it if you are going for a VET or a general English program.
Work and Holiday (subclass 462). You will be able to work full time (40 hours a week) for 1 year. It allows you to study courses of no more than 4 months. The bad? A limited number is granted each year and is only available to citizens of Spain, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.

Show your command of English

Do you think your English is excellent? Brilliant! But you must prove it with a certificate of international validity of no more than two years old. If your idea is to study a vocational course or work in Brisbane with Work and Holiday, the Australian government will ask you for this document.

If you don’t have your English proficiency certificate yet, don’t cancel your plans to live in Brisbane. An alternative is to process the Student Visa and take a preparation course to obtain the best scores in the TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge exams.

Another of the top options that CatEight Course Application has prepared for you is to first study a course to improve your English, take a vacation and enter the VET of your choice. Sounds great, right. Ask for your budget without obligation!

Process the TFN or the ABN

Working legally as a foreigner in Australia means paying taxes. You are not saved from that. So you must process a TFN (Tax File Number) that accredits you as a taxpayer. And if you want to work independently, you will need the ABN (Australian Business Number).

I work as an international student

Brisbane offers a booming economy with varied job opportunities for international students. Above all, the hospitality and tourism sectors have a high demand for interns. It’s the perfect environment for you to get experience and money.

A good idea is to prepare yourself before entering the job market. You can achieve that with the experiences to study tourism and hospitality in Brisbane.

Now you know what the requirements are to achieve it. You just need to get down to work and start shaping your trip. Start by requesting the budget of the experience that has interested you. You will not regret!