Entrance Requirements

We welcome and encourage international students at Melbourne Polytechnic. You’ll gain a comprehensive education as well as life skills, including learning about a new culture.

You are considered an International Student if you intend to study while on a Student Visa as defined in the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act). Students will apply via the International Office and will pay International Course Fees.

To study at Melbourne Polytechnic as an international student in ELICOS or VET programs, you must be 16 years or older.

To study at Melbourne Polytechnic as an international student in Higher Education programs, if you  are under 18 years, you must be turning 18 years of age in the year of entry to the course. If under 17 years you must have the prior written approval from the College Director in consultation with the relevant Head of School.

Note: Students intending to study on other temporary visas and who do not intend to study on Student Visa are deemed to be ‘Ineligible students’ and will pay course fees which apply to that cohort.

Academic Level

Melbourne Polytechnic minimum academic level differs depending on the course. Most certificate and diploma level courses require evidence of completion to studies equivalent to Australian Year 11 or 12, bachelor degree courses require evidence of completion to studies equivalent to Australian Year 12, and master degree courses require evidence of completion to studies AQF (Australian) Bachelor degree or overseas equivalent.

If you do not meet Melbourne Polytechnic’s academic entry-level requirements but have acquired skills or knowledge relevant to your chosen course, you may apply as a mature age student. A mature age student is considered to be over 18 years old, and has been out of full-time education for at least one year.

English Language Entry Requirements

All international student applicants must demonstrate a sufficient level of English language proficiency in accordance with course’s English language entry requirements as per the stated requirements below. Other evidence of English proficiency may be accepted in individual cases upon submission of appropriate documentation.

Satisfactory completion of one of the following, completed no more than 2 years prior to the date of application unless otherwise specified.

1. Previous Australian studies where English was the only language of instruction:

• Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Australian Year 12)
• Australian Foundation Course
• Certificate IV or higher AQF qualification – for entry into VET programs
• Diploma or higher AQF qualifications – for entry into most HE programs
• At least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) in higher education studies at AQF Level 5 or higher

2. Previous studies in a specified English speaking country where English was the only language of instruction:

• Secondary studies equivalent to Australian Year 12
• Post‐Secondary studies, equivalent to 1 academic year at an Australian Certificate IV or higher level

English speaking countries: Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, United States of America, Canada, South Africa.

• No time limit applies if the student has resided in an English speaking country since completion of these studies.

3. Other qualifications

4. English language proficiency tests

* Melbourne Polytechnic's TOEFL institute code is 2332

Student Visa English Language Requirements

Applicants who are applying for a student visa that need to provide evidence of their English language skills to Department of Home Affairs as part of their visa application (refer to the Home Affairs Website), must also provide this evidence to Melbourne Polytechnic as part of the international student admission process.

English language tests accepted by the Department of Home Affairs are listed below for your information.

IELTS International English Language Testing System

OET Occupational English Test

TOEFL iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language internet‐Based Test

PTE Academic Pearson Test of English

CAE Cambridge English: Advanced