Entry Requirements
An International student is someone who requires a student visa to live in Australia for the duration of their course. A student visa is required for any full time course that is longer than three months. Information about the type of visa you may need can be found here. The Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) issues the actual student visa and ACTT monitors student attendance and other visa requirements. If you think you may be an International student, read on to find out more.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy
All courses require a minimum level of ability to speak and read the English language, a minimum level of English, especially for people for whom English is a second language has been set at IELTS 6. IELTS is the International English Language Testing System and there are testing centres across Australia and in most countries around the world. To locate a centre click here A bridging course may be advisable for students whose level of English is insufficient for the course. Bridging courses are offered by a number of registered English Language Schools and TAFE. A practical assessment of a student’s language and literacy is made during ACTT’s audition and interview process in the first instance to gauge the individuals’ capacity with the spoken language and ability to read from a script. Numeracy assessment is undertaken where it is critical to the nature of the course and in particular relates to some units within the qualifications drawn from the Entertainment Training Package.
Application Process for International Students
1. Decide which course you want to study. If you are unsure about which course is most suitable, please contact ACTT and include information about your age, country of residence, current visa if applicable, and any relevant experience or training, or read about the courses available here.
2. Obtain the course information brochure, audition pieces (where applicable) and application form from ACTT. If you are unable to find these via the ACTT website, please contact ACTT.
3. Return completed application form, $AUD55 audition fee (non-refundable) evidence of English language proficiency and passport photo by mail to:
ACTT
505 Pitt St
Sydney NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
Audition Process for International Students
1. ACTT will confirm that your application has been receieved by email / post / telephone, and confirm the details of your audition.
2. Attend an audition in Sydney, or submit video audition tape if you are unable to attend an audition in Sydney.
Audition process for International and interstate students applying for The CORE is as follows:
1. Attend an audition in Sydney,
2. Or submit a video audition VHS tape or DVD if you are unable to attend an audition in Sydney.
Video Audition requirements:
1. Introduce yourself to camera, tell us a little about yourself, any acting training you have had previously and why you want to do this course. This needs to be close to camera and no longer than 2–3 minutes.
2. A monologue performed to camera. This should be a contemporary piece and suit your age, again you should be close to camera so we can see and hear you clearly, no longer than 2- 3 minutes.
3. Applicants from non-English speaking countries should also include a monologue that is read to camera, not acted. This allows ACTT to assess the applicant’s English fluency.
Audition process for International students applying for the Diploma of Performance Practice is as follows:
Attend an audition in Sydney, or submit video audition VHS tape or DVD if you are unable to attend an audition in Sydney.
Video Audition requirements:
1 Introduce yourself and explain why you would like to do the course
2 Perform two contrasting monologues to camera. Suitable monologues for the Diploma of Performance Practice can be found in the ACTT audition booklet for males or females.
3 If English is not your first language you may also read an extract from a book direct to camera in English. You may choose what to read out.
Once your tape has been viewed, we will advise you the results via email. We may organise a time to have a short telephone conversation to discuss a place in the course.
Enrolment Process for International Students
1. If you audition successfully, ACTT will produce a letter of offer indicating your place in the course.
2. To accept your place in the course, you must pay a deposit within the proscribed time and show proof of overseas student health cover to ACTT (health cover can be arranged on your behalf by ACTT if needed).
3. ACTT will produce an electronic confirmation of enrolment document (e-CoE) for you to facilitate your visa application / transfer. ~
4. Make an appointment with the appropriate immigration office to arrange your visa application or transfer (ACTT can provide information about office locations on request).
5. Once your visa has been approved, finalise your enrolment at ACTT by paying balance of fees and providing other relevant material (to be advised by ACTT).
6. ACTT welcomes you to your course!
7. There are several obligations attached to your visa that must be met once studying on your visa. One of the most important is to ensure that the college always has your current address including a new address if you move during your stay. Also there are very strict requirements regarding attendance at classes. For the full information please read the Student Handbook for Overseas Students
Please be aware that not all International students are eligible to apply for their visa onshore (i.e. within Australia). Please contact your local immigration office to clarify this.
Application for Visa with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMIA) (for application from within Australia)
1. Apply for the Visa subclass of 572 – Vocational Education and Training Sector. This is the sector that the principal course of study comes under. ACTT is a Vocational Education and Training provider – all courses come within this sector.
2. Relevant forms need to be obtained from the DIMA website. To lodge an application you will need:
• ‘Temporary Entry: Overseas Students’ information booklet relating to the visa subclass that you are applying for (download for free from the DIMA website). Booklet Number 1175.
• Information Sheet 1160i
• Application 157A
• The relevant information booklet and Information Sheet 1163i for information regarding health checks
3. On completion of your application form, if you have undertaken a health check (if necessary), and have gathered all required documents listed in the information booklet for Visa subclass 572, you can then call the DIMA Inquiry Line on 131 881. You will be advised by an operator as to whether your application is ready for lodgment.
4. When lodging your application with DIMA, a fee of $290 applies. Payment is accepted by DIMA in the form of credit card, EFTPOS, bank cheque or Australian money order, made payable to DIMA.
5. If you are already in NSW, it is preferred that you lodge your visa application in person if possible. You must make sure that all required documents are submitted with your application. In NSW, the address for DIMIA is 81 Railway Street, Rockdale. Applications lodged by mail should be sent to:
NSW Student Centre
DIMIA Rockdale Office
PO Box 705
Rockdale, NSW, Australia, 2216
6. If you are currently overseas you can submit your visa application on line here
7.After you arrive in Australia and have commenced your studies, you can apply for permission to work.
Accommodation
In regard to accommodation, there is a YHA (Youth hostel) right next door to our college where you might be able to get temporary accommodation.
I suggest that you look for a shared house or apartment close to the Sydney CBD. You should be able to find something for around $150- $200 Aus per week.
You can also check our student notice board when you arrive as there may be fellow students at ACTT who are looking for roommates.
For temporary accommodation their are two backpacker hostels located next to the College.
Wake-Up Hostel
YHA Central
For longer term accommodation there is an excellent website at www.realestate.com.au. Another website you might like to try is: www.gumtree.com.au. A few of our international students have tried this one and been successful.
Another option for international students is Homestay. For a fee of approx. $200 you can be placed with a Host family for the duration of your time here. Homestay costs around $250 per week for your own room and includes some meals. To check out this option try:
Australian Homestay Network
Homestay Network
Oz Homestay
The College is easily accessible from most Sydney suburbs by taking a train or bus to Central Station. Some neighboring suburbs to the Sydney CBD and close to the College are: Surry Hills, Paddington, Redfern, Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Glebe, Ultimo and Pyrmont. A little further away but still accessible are: Randwick, Kensington, North Sydney, Newtown, Annandale, Camperdown, Erskineville and Stanmore.
For further accommodation details and other information to help you settle in to Sydney, our Administration Office can assist with finding Student Hotels, Backpacker’s accommodation and other similar types of place to stay.