What are the GPA Requirements? What if my GPA isn’t at the level required?
Generally students must hold a 4.0 / 7 GPA or higher (or WAM equivalent) to go on our programs, with some programs requiring higher GPAs and others being more flexible. Please check each specific program page for the program’s GPA requirement. Please also note that we’ve had students be successful on programs with a lower GPA or WAM. If your grades fall below the stated requirement for your preferred program, you may still be considered with the support of additional documentation. If you are unsure whether your GPA meets the criteria, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.
Do I need to be currently enrolled at an Australian university?
Yes most of our programs require you to be currently enrolled in an Australian University, however in some instances we may be able to accept recent graduates. Generally, to participate on a CISaustralia program, the following must describe you: You will be at least 18 years of age or older at the start of the program, you hold at least a 4.0 out of 7.0 GPA, be in good academic standing and you already hold a passport or are able to obtain a passport prior to international travel.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement, contact us to find out if you are still eligible given your current GPA, and learn about any additional steps needed as part of your application.
What are the eligibility requirements to participate in a CISaustralia program?
Generally, to participate in a CISaustralia program, the following must describe you: You are enrolled at an Australian University, you will be at least 18 years of age or older at the start of the program and you already hold a passport or are able to obtain a passport prior to international travel.
As part of our application process, you may also be required to submit additional application pieces such as:
- Copy of your most recent transcript (an unofficial transcript in most cases is sufficient)
- Copy of your passport photo page
To assess students with low or borderline GPAs the following is usually required:
- A reference (or two) from an academic contact such as a professor or academic advisor who knows you well.
- A personal statement
- Approval from your learning abroad office
Call us or hit the Apply Now button today to find out more about application requirements and how you can participate in our programs.
Do I need to speak the language of the host country I’m studying or volunteering in?
While we always encourage students to learn some basic words and phrases, the majority of CISaustralia programs do not require that you speak the host language – unless you are participating in a language course! With many if not all courses taught in English and specifically for learning abroad students, you can be successful studying in a non-English speaking country. Our onsite teams are all bi-lingual, as required, to support you on your program.
Why should I study or volunteer abroad?
Many people say that the decision to study abroad was the best one they ever made. If you want to adventure, meet new people, learn about the world, study or volunteer in unforgettable locations, build career-readiness skills, face interesting and unexpected challenges, and have some stories to tell – do it. If that doesn’t sound good to you, then please do not apply 😉
For more reasons please have a read of the Benefits of Study Abroad: https://www.cisaustralia.com.au/why-cisaustralia/benefits-of-study-abroad/
When should I apply?
NOW! The process is simple and the earlier you get started the less stress and more streamlined your application will be. We recommend you get in early so we can secure your course and accommodation and give you more time to be prepared for your program.
How long does the application process take to complete?
The initial online application will take about 5 minutes to complete. The application fee of $99 can be paid via direct deposit or credit card. Once we receive your complete application you can expect a call from your CISaustralia advisor within two business days. Your advisor will be supporting you through the process and on this first call you will have time to ask questions and ensure you know the steps ahead to progress your application.
What happens after I apply?
Expect a call from one of our friendly CISaustralia program advisors. Your application will be discussed and you will then be given access to the student participant portal to complete some brief questions and upload your (unofficial) university transcript and a copy of your passport. This is all done within our secure customised student portal.
What if my GPA isn’t at the level required?
CISaustralia programs have varying GPA requirements depending on the destination and university partner. If your GPA falls below the stated requirement for your preferred program, you may still be considered with the support of additional documentation. If you are unsure whether your GPA meets the criteria, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.
To be eligible for a CISaustralia program, generally you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of the program
- Be currently enrolled at an Australian university
- Be in good academic standing
- Hold a valid passport or be able to obtain one prior to international travel
If you do not meet the required GPA, please reach out to our team to explore your options. We’re here to help you understand your eligibility and any additional steps that may be required as part of your application process.
How can I fund my program?
In 2025, 96% of all CISaustralia overseas programs could be completely funded by OS-Help Government Funding!
OS-HELP is a generous Australian Government Loan scheme that allows eligible Australian university students to access up to A$11,207 to study overseas (2025 amounts). The OS-HELP loan is applied to the student’s HECS and standard conditions apply. Like HECS-HELP, OS-HELP is interest-free and fee-free. For more information see OS-HELP Australian Government Loan Scheme for Overseas Study
Other funding may include University Grants or scholarships, Austudy or crowd-sourced fundraising. See How to Fund Study Abroad | Funding Resources from CISaustralia for more information.
Australian citizens who are currently eligible for or receiving Austudy should be eligible to continue receiving this form of Australian Government financial assistance if they leave Australia temporarily for a study experience, if the study is part of their full-time Australian course.
Do you have any scholarships?
Students attending outbound mobility programs will often be eligible to receive some form of scholarship or grant from their university, whether it is from their university’s International Office or specific Faculty. We encourage students to reach out to their Learning Abroad office to enquire about any funding opportunities. Please see our scholarships page for more information. https://www.cisaustralia.com.au/financial-information/scholarships/
What if I have special needs / a disability?
CISaustralia is an equal opportunity organisation and does not discriminate on any basis – race, colour, creed, gender, ideology, religion, economic status, age or ethnic background. We encourage disclosure of any student requirements so that we can consider disability needs as early in the advising process as possible.
CISaustralia is primarily guided by our overseas partner policies in relation to disability services – in close coordination with our Australian partner institutions. For all our study programs we will be guided by our overseas partner’s University policies, facilities and services. For our volunteer partners we will be guided by our onsite partner’s policies, facilities and services. All decisions are made in partnership with our local (study, intern, volunteer) provider, and always with the best interest of the student’s health, safety and wellbeing in mind. Every opportunity will be afforded for any student with a disability to attend a CISaustralia program.
How does the application process work?
Once you’ve selected a program, congrats – it’s time to apply! Click on the “Apply Now“ button found at the top right corner on any page of the website. You will then be prompted to complete the online application where you will enter some basic information about yourself and information about the program that you’ve selected. Once your application is submitted, you will be prompted to pay the $99 non-refundable, application fee. You will then be called to have a phone consult with your CISaustralia advisor where you will also be given instructions for accessing your CISaustralia Student Portal. There you will find all of the necessary forms required for acceptance into your designated program. Required forms vary from program to program. Once all your application forms are submitted, your designated CISaustralia advisor will review your application and share an offer letter with you if everything looks good, we will touch base if we have any questions. The ball is then in your court to accept your offer letter and pay your deposit to hold your place in the program!
How do I access my applicant portal?
Once you have been given portal access (after the initial call with your program advisor) you will receive an email with full instructions. You can login to your CISaustralia Portal at any time to view your Program Essentials document and supporting resources.
If you have forgotten your password, follow the instructions given on the login page to reset it. If that doesn’t work, let your Program Advisor know and they can reset your account!
What is credit approval and how do I receive credit for my program?
Depending on your Australian university, “courses” may be referred to as “subjects” or “units”.
Each course/subject/unit you undertake on a CISaustralia program is designed to be a full-time, semester course that has been condensed to fit into an intensive, short-term program. As such, for 1 course you study abroad, you should receive the credit points for 1 full-time course/subject/unit at your Australian university. Many universities work off of a 1-for-1 equivalency (1 course abroad = 1 course in Australia), but ultimately credit approval is the decision of your faculty and Australian university.
CISaustralia strongly recommends that you have overseas courses pre-approved for academic credit before you pay your program deposit and well before you depart for your program. (You will submit your approved courses to CISaustralia after you accept your program offer and pay your program deposit).
In most cases we encourage students to have multiple courses approved to allow some flexibility in your class schedule and avoid timetable clashes and changes. A CISaustralia program can often be a great opportunity to take some interesting electives if your degree allows.
Students are responsible for making sure credit transfers over to their home institution.
Is my course guaranteed to run?
CISaustralia can’t guarantee all courses at all institutions will run, sometimes changes can happen. For most study programs we suggest students have multiple courses approved with their home university for academic credit.
When do I find out about minimum numbers for my program?
Your volunteer or study course may have minimum numbers before you can be confirmed on the program. Your CISaustralia advisor will be in contact with you and keep you updated regarding minimum numbers.
For general information please review our Health and Safety Guidelines on the CISaustralia website.
Can I bring my medication abroad with me?
If you are on any medications and you’re sure you will need them while away, talk to your doctor about getting a supply for the full period of time that you’ll be abroad. Also, make sure you keep the doctor’s prescription with you in a safe place. You’ll usually need to bring it with you when you travel to your foreign country.
If you will be bringing your medication abroad, it’s advisable to get a written letter/note from your doctor listing your prescription(s) and your condition(s) under treatment to carry with you. This is in case questions arise about your medications when you pass through customs.
Finally, make sure all prescribed medication is in your carry-on and not in checked luggage, in case you need to access your medication during travel or your flight or luggage is delayed.
Please refer to Smartraveller for more information: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/health/medications
What advice do you have for participants who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community?
At CISaustralia, we love having students from all walks of life participate in our programs. No matter your gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or religion, you are welcome to take part in any one of our programs. That being said, studying abroad as an LGBTQIA+ student comes with its own challenges and things to consider. While travelling abroad pushes you out of your comfort zone, having all of our students feel safe at all times is our top priority, and we do our best to ensure that happens. Please review our LGBTQIA+ Information https://www.cisaustralia.com.au/health-and-safety/lgbtqia-information/
What if I need mental health support or I get homesick or culture shock?
When travelling overseas, everyone experiences the ups and downs of cultural adjustment or Culture Shock. The team at CISaustralia aims to minimise culture shock by setting realistic expectations for students participating in CISaustralia programs. Please have a read of the resources on the CISaustralia website for: Culture Shock: https://www.cisaustralia.com.au/health-and-safety/culture-shock/ and Mental Health Support: https://www.cisaustralia.com.au/health-and-safety/mental-health-support/
Can I opt out of program housing? / Can I book my own accommodation?
In almost all cases we require all students to stay in CISaustralia provided housing. Furthermore, most Australian Universities also require students to remain in CISaustralia provided housing. On rare occasions, we may allow students to opt-out of housing but their home institution must agree and students must sign a waiver acknowledging they release CISaustralia and the program partner from all housing responsibility, including landlord or roommate disputes, maintenance, location, etc.
Can I request a roommate?
In some cases you can request a share mate and you can discuss this with your Admissions and Enrollment Coordinator. Please note that the person you are requesting must request you back and all parties must have chosen the same housing option. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
When can I book my flights?
Once you are accepted into the program, you will receive guidelines for booking your flights. We know you’ll want to book as early as possible, but please hold off until arrival and departure dates are confirmed by your Admissions and Enrolment Coordinator, this will come after you have paid your deposit and you are enrolled in your program.
Does CISaustralia help me with booking my flight?
Yes! Once you are confirmed on your program you will receive information about your arrival window (to take advantage of the provided airport pick up) and departure date and we will put you in touch with our partners at Flight Centre to assist you with any travel bookings.
We partner with Flight Centre, a travel agency geared specifically toward offering the best deals and booking options to students. You are free to book with any site that you choose, but you have the added benefit of extra support through our partnership with Flight Centre.
How do I use my mobile phone abroad?
You’ll find that calling internationally while abroad can get very expensive depending on where you are and what options you choose. We recommend using Instagram Messenger, WhatsApp, Line, or other popular apps for free communication with others in your host country. These apps are available on all smartphones and offer texting, video calls, and traditional phone call options.
Depending entirely on Wi-Fi is not recommended. A strong Wi-Fi connection is not available everywhere. In local coffee shops, restaurants and cafes, you may need to purchase something in order to connect to their Wi-Fi.
That said, we do recommend you have some form of cell phone service in order to communicate both locally and internationally while abroad. You can often purchase a SIM card upon arrival, either at the airport or nearby your accommodation. Often local pay-as-you-go SIM options are pretty affordable.
Your mobile will need to be unlocked in order to change the SIM card to an overseas SIM.
SIM cards can be purchased often for a set number of days, or topped up on a monthly basis. In some locations, you can even top up while getting your morning coffee at 7-Eleven!
You can also consider an e-sim – available in many countries. Examples include: https://esim.holafly.com/ https://www.airalo.com/ or https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/
What should I pack?
Confirmed participants will receive a Pre-departure guide and have a pre-departure orientation webinar about 4-6 weeks before you leave for your program – we will cover essentials to pack and much more.
You can also check out our What to Pack (and What to Leave Behind): Your Ultimate Study Abroad Packing Guide: https://www.cisaustralia.com.au/what-to-pack-and-what-to-leave-behind/
Do I need insurance?
Absolutely YES! It is a requirement of CISaustralia that ALL program participants purchase and show proof of medical and/or health insurance prior to their departure from Australia. Insurance policies must provide sufficient cover for the duration of a participant’s selected program. Please see our Insurance Requirements information: https://www.cisaustralia.com.au/health-and-safety/insurance-requirements/ and our Insurance Guide for Travel: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OkhvL8cJ0wZFh7j5Pzya8jiapFff_cRNF2BLGn6Z1_I/preview?tab=t.0
Can I arrive before my program start date?
Maybe but it depends on your program. If your program requires a visa, you want to make sure you don’t accidentally overstay your visa by arriving early. Also, most programs include airport pick up, but only if you arrive on the designated arrival day and in the arrival window. So if you arrive early, we won’t be able to pick you up at the airport and you’ll have to find your own transportation and accommodation for the time before your program starts.
Can I stay after the program end date?
Yes! However, it will be up to the student to find accommodation and transportation and to ensure that they are within visa restrictions.
Does my passport need to be valid for 6 months after the end of my program?
Most countries require that a passport is valid for 6 months after the intended date of return in order to enter the country. You will likely be denied boarding onto an international flight if you do not have at least 6-months validity on your passport.
Does CISaustralia provide visa support to students?
While the responsibility of obtaining a visa falls on each individual student, CISaustralia staff are there to help provide all necessary documentation and guide students through the process of getting their visa, if one is necessary for their specific program.
