Yes — if your course is CRICOS-registered. To switch from a visitor or bridging visa to a student visa (subclass 500) in Melbourne, you need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered course, evidence of funds and Overseas Student Health Cover, and a Genuine Student statement. ALIT delivers several CRICOS-registered VET courses at West Melbourne, including Certificate II in Security Operations (CPP20218) from around $999 total — contact ALIT for current pricing before you apply.
What Is a CRICOS-Registered Course and Why It Matters for Your Visa
CRICOS stands for the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. It’s the Australian Government’s official list of every course and provider approved to enrol international students on a student visa.
If a course isn’t CRICOS-registered, you generally cannot use it to obtain or maintain a student visa (subclass 500). This applies no matter how good the course looks on a provider’s website.
Every CRICOS-registered provider has a CRICOS Provider Code — ALIT’s is 03981M, and ALIT is a Registered Training Organisation under RTO 45156. Each individual course also carries its own separate CRICOS course code, which you should check against the training.gov.au national register before enrolling.
CRICOS vs non-CRICOS courses — what changes for international students
A non-CRICOS course can still be a legitimate, nationally recognised qualification — plenty of domestic students study them. The difference is purely about visa eligibility.
If you’re on a student visa, only your CRICOS-registered course counts toward your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and ongoing visa conditions. Studying a non-CRICOS course alongside it is fine for personal development, but it won’t support your visa status.
Which Affordable CRICOS Courses Does ALIT Offer in Melbourne?
ALIT delivers a small number of CRICOS-registered qualifications at its West Melbourne campus (200 Rosslyn St / 500 Spencer St). Based on ALIT’s live course listings, the current CRICOS-registered courses are:
- Certificate II in Security Operations (CPP20218) — CRICOS course code 114252K
- Diploma of Business (Operations) (BSB50120) — CRICOS course code 108741K
- Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB60420) — CRICOS course code 114251M
- Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) (CHC52025) — CRICOS course code 114248F
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015) — CRICOS course code 114247G
Business, IT, Community Services, Hospitality and First Aid pathways
These five CRICOS courses span business operations, leadership and management, and community services case management and ageing support — all nationally recognised VET qualifications, not university degrees. Full CRICOS registration status, codes and intake availability can change, so always confirm the current list directly with ALIT or on the official CRICOS register before applying for a visa.
For a full breakdown of every CRICOS-registered course and code currently available at ALIT, see our complete CRICOS-approved courses guide.
How Much Do CRICOS Courses Cost at ALIT?
Fees vary by course and change over time, so always confirm the current published fee on the specific course page before enrolling. As a guide from ALIT’s live course listings:
- Certificate II in Security Operations (CPP20218): tuition fee plus a separate enrolment and material fee, totalling under $1,000 at the time of writing.
- Diploma of Business (BSB50120): a total course fee in the low thousands, with a payment plan option.
- Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB60420): a total course fee slightly above the Diploma of Business, also with a payment plan.
- Diploma of Community Services (CHC52025): a published onshore indicative tuition fee plus a separate enrolment and material fee.
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015): a course fee plus separate other fees, delivered on campus with a work placement component.
Typical fees and what’s included
ALIT’s published fees generally include learning materials and trainer support. Contact ALIT for current pricing and payment plan details for your specific course and student type (domestic vs international), since fee structures can differ.
Can You Switch from a Visitor Visa or Bridging (Covid) Visa to a Student Visa?
In principle, yes — it’s possible to apply for a student visa (subclass 500) while onshore in Australia on a visitor visa or an eligible bridging visa, provided you meet the standard student visa criteria. This is a visa application, not an automatic conversion, and eligibility depends on your specific visa conditions and immigration history.
Some visitor visas carry an “8503 no further stay” condition, which can block an onshore student visa application unless it is waived. Check your current visa grant notice or ImmiAccount for any conditions attached to your visa before assuming you can switch.
What evidence and timing you need
To apply for a student visa from within Australia you will generally need:
- A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered course — such as the ALIT courses listed above
- Evidence of sufficient funds for tuition, travel and living costs
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the course duration
- A Genuine Student (GS) statement addressing your reasons for studying in Australia
- Evidence that any visa condition restricting a further application has been met or waived
Visa requirements, processing times and eligibility rules are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, not by individual training providers. Always check the current subclass 500 requirements on the Department of Home Affairs student visa (subclass 500) page before applying, and consider seeking advice from a registered migration agent for your individual circumstances.
English Language Requirements for a Student Visa Course
Most CRICOS-registered courses require evidence of English language proficiency, either through an accepted test (such as IELTS) or another accepted pathway recognised by the Department of Home Affairs and the training provider. Requirements can vary by course level and by provider — confirm the current English requirement for your chosen ALIT course directly with an ALIT education agent before applying.
Step-by-Step: How to Enrol in a CRICOS Course as an International Student
- Choose a CRICOS-registered course that matches your goals from ALIT’s current list above.
- Speak with an ALIT education agent or contact ALIT directly to confirm current fees, entry requirements and English language evidence needed.
- Submit your application with identity documents, academic transcripts and English proficiency evidence.
- Receive and accept your offer, then pay the required fees as set out in your offer letter.
- Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) once fees are paid and enrolment is confirmed.
- Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your full intended study period.
- Apply for your student visa (subclass 500) through ImmiAccount, attaching your CoE, OSHC, funds evidence and Genuine Student statement.
- Begin your course once your visa is granted, keeping your enrolment and attendance in line with your visa conditions.
This list reflects the general process at the time of writing — always confirm the current step-by-step requirements with the Department of Home Affairs and your ALIT education agent, since visa processes can change.
If you’re also weighing up whether a VET qualification like these will help your career once you finish studying, see our guide on building a career in Australia without a university degree.
FAQ
Is there a good, affordable place to study in Melbourne on a student visa?
ALIT is a CRICOS-registered provider (CRICOS Provider Code 03981M, RTO 45156) delivering several CRICOS-registered VET courses at its West Melbourne campus, including Certificate II in Security Operations, Diploma of Business, Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management, Diploma of Community Services, and Certificate IV in Ageing Support. Contact ALIT for current pricing before enrolling.
What is the cheapest VET course that still meets student visa requirements?
Based on ALIT’s published course fees, Certificate II in Security Operations (CPP20218) is currently the lowest-cost CRICOS-registered course ALIT offers, with a tuition fee plus a separate enrolment and material fee. Always confirm the current total fee directly with ALIT before applying for your visa, since fees can change.
Can I come on a visitor visa and switch to a student visa in Melbourne?
It’s possible to apply for a student visa onshore from a visitor visa, provided your visa doesn’t carry a “no further stay” condition that hasn’t been waived, and you meet the standard subclass 500 requirements including a CoE from a CRICOS-registered course. Check your visa conditions and the current Department of Home Affairs requirements, or speak with a registered migration agent, before applying.
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