How to Apply to University in Australia: The Steps from Offer to CoE
TL;DR: How do you apply to university in Australia as an international student? Choose a course and check its entry and English requirements, apply online directly to the university or through an authorised agent, and pay any application fee. You then receive a conditional or full offer, accept it and pay your deposit, arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE). The eCoE is what your student visa application needs.
Applying to an Australian university is not one form. It is a sequence, and each step has its own deadline, fee or document.
This guide walks through the steps as two universities, the University of Sydney and UNSW Sydney, publish them: what to prepare, what each offer type means, what happens after you accept, and the February 2027 dates to watch. If you are applying from Sri Lanka, the local points are near the end.
Not sure your results meet Australian entry rules? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
What are the steps to apply to an Australian university?
| Step | What you do | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose a course | Find the course and read its entry and English requirements | Check the course is registered on CRICOS for international students |
| 2. Prepare documents | Certificates, transcripts, English test results, passport | Non-English documents need an accredited translation |
| 3. Apply | Online, direct to the university or through an authorised agent | Most universities charge an application fee |
| 4. Receive an offer | Conditional, full (unconditional) or a package offer | Read every condition and the acceptance deadline |
| 5. Accept and pay | Accept online and pay the deposit or first fees | Acceptance is not final until payment clears |
| 6. Arrange OSHC | Through the university or a provider you choose | Cover must run for the whole visa |
| 7. Receive your eCoE | Issued after acceptance and payment | This is the document your visa application uses |
| 8. Apply for your visa | Lodge the student visa once you have the eCoE | Processing can take longer at peak times |
Before step 1, run the course through the CRICOS course search so you know it is open to student visa holders.
What do you need before you apply?
The University of Sydney asks international applicants for "official documents" such as "academic certificates and transcripts, proof of English language proficiency and proof of identity (such as your passport)." Documents that are not in English must be translated "by a government-accredited translator such as NAATI, or your school's registrar."
Entry rules have two parts. You must meet the course's academic requirement and its English requirement. International applicants must also meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. Our guide to Australia student visa English requirements lists the test scores the visa itself accepts.
How do you apply, and is there a fee?
Both universities take applications online. Sydney says you can "apply directly to the University from your course page or via an authorised agent," and that you will need to pay the application processing fee. UNSW applications go through its Applicant Portal or a UNSW agent, and UNSW states: "An online application costs A$150." Its FAQ adds that the fee is non-refundable, is charged for each online application, and is paid by credit card.
Want to check which courses your results fit before you pay an application fee?
What do the different offers mean?
- Conditional offer. You still have something to meet. At Sydney, "you will be eligible to receive an unconditional/firm offer if you meet the conditions listed on the conditional offer letter." At UNSW, a typical condition is an English result or enrolment in an English course at UNSW College.
- Full or unconditional offer. You have met every requirement. Sydney says this is "clearly stated at the top of your offer letter."
- Package offer. One offer covering an English or pathway course followed by the degree. UNSW, for example, packages some applicants with its UNSW College English program.
Offers come with an acceptance deadline. UNSW says most international offers allow "8 weeks (56 days)" to accept, and if you miss the deadline you must reapply.
What happens after you accept?
You accept online and pay. Sydney is direct about the order: "Acceptance cannot be finalised until full payment is received and cleared." Once it clears, Sydney says "it may take 2-10 working days for us to issue your eCoE." UNSW describes the same link: "Once you have accepted and paid your deposit, you will receive an electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE)."
You also need OSHC for the length of your visa. Universities can arrange it at acceptance, or you can choose a provider yourself. Then UNSW's advice is to "submit your visa application to the Australian Government as soon as you receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)." Before you pay, work out the full cost with our guide to how much money you need to study in Australia.
When should you apply for February 2027?
Dates vary by university and course, so treat these as examples, not general rules:
- University of Sydney, Semester 1 (February). International undergraduate applications close "1 December of the year prior to commencement", and postgraduate applications "18 December of the year prior to commencement." Sydney adds that applications "may close once capacity is reached."
- UNSW, Term 1 2027. UNSW runs offer rounds with fixed deadlines. Its table shows several Term 1 2027 rounds already closed, and some programs at capacity. Check the round dates for your program now.
Work backwards from the start date. Allow time for the offer, the acceptance and payment, the eCoE and then the visa. If a health check is part of your visa, our guide to the Australia student visa health examination explains when to book it.
Applying from Sri Lanka
- Request your A/L and degree certificates and transcripts early. Universities want official documents, and some take weeks to issue.
- Documents in Sinhala or Tamil need a translation by an accredited translator, as Sydney's wording above shows. Plan this before you start the online form.
- Deposits and fees are paid in Australian dollars. Ask your bank in advance how long an overseas transfer takes, because acceptance is final only when the payment clears.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to an Australian university without an agent?
Yes. Sydney and UNSW both accept applications directly online, as well as through authorised agents.
How long does it take to get a CoE in Australia?
It follows acceptance and payment. Sydney says it may take 2 to 10 working days to issue the eCoE once payment has cleared.
Can I apply for my student visa before I get a CoE?
Universities advise lodging once you have the CoE, because it is the enrolment evidence the student visa application uses.
PS: The step that most often slips is the payment, because acceptance is final only when the money clears. Line up the transfer before your offer arrives. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will help you plan the order.
Sandeepani Wickramasinghe
References
- How to apply: international students, The University of Sydney. https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying/how-to-apply/international-students.html (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Application dates, The University of Sydney. https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying/application-dates.html (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Accepting your offer, The University of Sydney. https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying/accepting-your-offer.html (accessed 21 October 2026)
- How to apply: international students, UNSW Sydney. https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/international (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Admissions information for international students, UNSW Sydney. https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/international-students/admissions-info (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Fees, UNSW Sydney. https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/fees (accessed 21 October 2026)
