Information for Students

All overseas students must apply for a student visa before travelling to Australia. In order to apply for student visa, you need a valid passport, an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE), evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and any other documentation required by the Australian diplomatic post with which you lodge your application. Comprehensive information about the visa application process, student work rights and restrictions, health requirements and other details pertaining to student visas can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

In Australia, OSHC is a mandatory requirement of your student visa unless an exception applies. You must have OSHC for the entire duration of your student visa. OSHC must also cover any dependents you bring to Australia with you. OSHC helps you easily access medical services while you are in Australia. RBS can arrange your OSHC with Allianz Care Australia or you can arrange OSHC yourself with another approved OSHC provider.

It is a condition of your student visa that children 5 years or older must attend formal schooling while they are in Queensland. Find out about bringing family members to Australia with you on the Department of Home Affairs website. You will be responsible for expenses such as school fees, school uniform and school supplies. See Education Queensland International for more information.

Brisbane offers a range of accommodation options you can choose from to suit your needs, including; Managed Student Accommodation, homestay, hostels and shared rental accommodation. The costs for these will vary, depending on factors such as location and facilities provided. These costs are a guide only.

StudentOne: View the packages offered by our accommodation partner StudentOne.

AHN Homestay: You can choose to live with a family in a homestay through the Australian Homestay Network (AHN). You will learn about Brisbane’s culture and lifestyle, improve your language skills and enjoy everyday activities with your AHN homestay host. AHN Homestay is recommended as the best option for all new international students visiting Australia for the first time.

The Australian Government would like overseas students in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding experience while studying in Australia. Australia’s laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are known as the ESOS framework and they include the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice 2018.

Brisbane is a vibrant and multicultural city that is popular among international students due to its high-quality education, excellent standard of living, and beautiful natural surroundings including the Brisbane River, South Bank Parklands, and nearby beaches and rainforests. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with art galleries, museums, and music venues. Popular attractions for students include the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb and the Queensland Museum. Check out the following links for things to do in Brisbane:

https://overseasstudentsaustralia.com/explore-oz/study-in-brisbane/

https://studentone.com/freshmans-guide-brisbane-city-10-things-stat/

https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/the-city/news/things-to-do-in-brisbane-city?sc_lang=en-au

Brisbane offers a modern and comprehensive public transport network, including rail, bus and ferry. See the Translink website to plan your journey, check timetables and apply for a student concession. Go card is Translink's electronic ticket to fast, easy and convenient travel in South East Queensland. Other transport options include taxi, rideshare and shared e-bikes and e-scooters.

Russo Business School main campus is in very close proximity to most major banks. Go to this link to review Australian Banking and currency information. Australian banking and currency

Australia has numerous mobile phone and internet providers with various plans to suit your requirements. Go to this link to review your options -phone and internet. Russo Business School also provides you with access to free WiFi while on campus.

You can choose to open an account in any bank in Australia. Before setting up a bank account it is recommended that you research the services and fees provided by the major banks. Many banks offer student bank accounts. Australia’s four major banks are:

CommBank

Westpac

NAB

ANZ

Working while you study in Australia can help complement your study and living experience. There are a number of reasons you might want to undertake part time work while studying in Australia, including assisting with living expenses and gaining work experience in your study area.

As the pandemic progressed, restrictions on working while holding a student visa were eased, and in January 2022, they were eliminated entirely. This made it possible for primary and secondary student visa holders to work more than their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight. This was done in order to address shortages in the labour force. This will come to an end on the 30 June 2023.

Restrictions on work authorisation for people holding student visas will be reinstated on 01 July 2023 and the maximum number of hours allowed per fortnight will be raised to 48 hours.

This ensures that people who hold student visas are able to concentrate on obtaining an education and qualification of a high standard in Australia, while also maintaining the ability to support themselves financially, gain experience that is valuable to their careers, and contribute to Australia's workforce requirements.

Find out more at the Department of Home Affairs. Some information about finding part-time work can be found at the following links:

https://www.studiesinaustralia.com/Blog/about-australia/how-to-find-parttime-work-in-australia

https://www.ozstudies.com/blog/australia-study-tips/how-to-find-student-part-time-jobs-in-australia

Australia is generally a very safe place to live and study but it is still important to look after yourself and be aware of the risks that exist and ways to minimise them. This is particularly important for when you first arrive and are adjusting to your new way of life. Following your common sense and best practices will ensure you remain safe and healthy.

In an emergency, call 000 (police, ambulance or fire).

Personal safety

Beach and sun safety

Storm safety

Cyber security

General health and wellbeing: Refer to your OSHC provider to assist with finding a doctor/GP or refer to Queensland Health. Please also refer to the RBS Health and Wellbeing Policy and Procedure.

Click here to see our Agent List.

 Click here to see our Domestic Application Form

 Click here to see our International Application Form

To gain entry to RBS, you must meet certain academic and English language admission criteria:

General entry requirements - domestic

General entry requirements – international

Domestic applicants should be at least 17 years of age to commence a course at RBS, however, younger applicants may be considered on a case-by-case basis. International applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of course commencement and determined by RBS to be a genuine international student. See the RBS Admission Policy and Procedure for more information.

If you are seeking credit for previous study or learning, please ensure you confirm this on your Application Form and complete the RBS Recognition of Prior Learning and Articulation Form. Refer to the Credit Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and Articulation Policy and Procedure for further information.

Annual tuition fees are calculated based on 8 subjects, and normally increase each new calendar year. Please visit www.rbs.qld.edu.au for updated fees and due dates. You will also need to budget for text books and miscellaneous study expenses.  

Domestic students may be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan or government-assisted help and support such as Austudy. RBS is an approved FEE-HELP and Austudy Higher Education Provider. To find out more, please visit:

https://www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/fee-help

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/austudy 

At the time of visa application, international applicants must have demonstrated they have the financial capacity to meet program and living costs. 

How to pay

Fee for Service paying students have a number of options to pay their fees:

• Direct deposit to the bank account listed on the Letter of Offer
• Credit Card by completing the Credit Card Payment section on the Letter of Offer

International Welcome Scholarship

Russo Business School is offering a 25% Scholarship* to new international students commencing the Diploma of Business in 2023 at the Brisbane Campus. The Scholarship will be paid in the form of a fee waiver of the Tuition Fees for the final two subjects in the Diploma of Business (i.e. students only pay the Tuition Fees for the first six subjects of the Diploma). The Scholarship is valued AU$4,900.

Eligibility criteria applies.

The 8 Diploma of Business subjects are grouped into 4 clusters. Each cluster is delivered over a 6-week period followed by a 2-week break. You are expected to undertake 15 hours of face-to-face learning and at least 10 hours of self-learning per week.

iLearn is the RBS Learning Management System. iLearn allows you to interact collaboratively with your peers and teachers, and provides a flexible learning experience.

There are strict conditions around making any changes to your enrolment.

• If you, as an enrolled student, wish to defer your enrolment; take Interruption of Studies Leave; transfer to another course within the Russo Business School; or cancel your enrolment, approval must be sought through a formal agreement with Russo Business School before any of these events can take place.
• If you, as an enrolled student, wish to defer your enrolment or take Interruption of Studies Leave, Russo Business School will hold any fees paid for six (6) months as at the date of the formal agreement, referred to above. If you subsequently wish to cancel the deferral or Interruption of Studies Leave and apply for a refund of any fees held by Russo Business School, you are advised to refer to the Fees Refund Table in this Letter of Offer.
• If permission is granted to cancel your enrolment and you wish to apply for a refund of any fees held by Russo Business School, you are advised to refer to the Fees Refund Table in this Letter of Offer.
• As a student visa holder, you are not permitted to interrupt your studies except on the grounds of ^compassionate or compelling circumstances, such as serious illness or bereavement, supported by documentary evidence

Please refer to the following links:

Admissions Policy and Procedure

Interruption of Studies Leave Policy and Procedure

The intent of RBS is to ensure complaints and appeals are handled in a fair and equitable manner by a process of discussion, cooperation and conciliation as soon as possible after an event has occurred, with an acceptable outcome that minimises any potential detriment to ongoing work or study relationships. Please refer to the RBS Student Complaints and Appeals Policy and Procedures