澳大利亚学生签证按照学习的主要课程分为以下7个类别：

　　1. English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
Applies to stand-alone English language courses that lead to a certificate I, II, III or IV, or that result in no formal Australian award.
570类别—独立ELICOS（海外学生英语强化课程）；

2. Primary or secondary school course
Applies to primary, junior secondary or senior secondary school courses, and approved secondary school exchange programs.
571类别—小/中学课程--海外学生参加一个小学或中学（包括初中和高中）课程； 请注意对于中国申请人来说，至少要完成初中毕业或以上学历才可申请赴澳留学生签证

3. Vocational education and training
Applies to Certificates I, II, III or IV (except ELICOS), diploma, advanced diploma, vocational graduate certificate or vocational graduate diploma courses.
572类别—职业教育和培训课程（VET）--文凭，高级文凭和四级证书；
 
　　4. Higher education
Applies to a Bachelor degree, associate degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or Masters by coursework.
573类别—高等教育课程--包括学士学位，副学士学位，研究生证书， 研究生文凭和硕士学位（授课式）；

5. Postgraduate research
Applies to Masters by research or a doctoral degree.
574类别—研究式研究生课程--包括硕士学位（研究式）和博士学位；

6. Non-award
Applies to non-award foundation studies, or other full-time courses or components of courses not leading to an Australian award.
575类别—非学位基础学习或其他--包括一些基础的，过渡的或其它的课程，完成课程后不能取得学位，文凭或其它正式的证书

7. AusAID and Defence
Applies to students sponsored by AusAID or the Australian Department of Defence undertaking full-time courses of any type.
576类别—AusAID 或国防部担保课程—澳大利亚教育机构提供的由AusAID学生或国防部担保的学生参加的全日制教育或训练课程的全部或一部分。

此外，还有和学生签证直接相关的 Student Guardians Parents or relatives can apply for a visa to stay in Australia as the guardian of a student who is studying in Australia.

580类别-学生监护人签证 - 对于学生签证申请人须其监护人在其学习期间陪同。