French citizens are buttessment Level 1 and hence can apply for a student visa onshore *if* they are legitimately in Australia on another visa without a 'no further stay' condition.
British citizens are welcome to study in Australia, they just can't normally apply onshore (buttessment Level 2) except for a small number of student visas. Even French citizens are normally expected to apply offshore, as the ETA is not for those intending a long stay in Australia.
She can normally switch from a WHV to a student visa, however there are a number of issues including:
- the WHV also requires that the person plans to leave Australia, so she only ought to make plans like this after arriving; - she must apply for a student visa before the stay allowed on a WHV expires - she needs to make sure the student visa she chooses isn't going to attract a 'no further stay' condition - once the student visa is granted her WHV will be cancelled and unless specific circumstances apply, she will not be able to get another one.
If she's going to come to Australia on a WHV anyway, you should get advice on all these issues (and more) after arriving. Student visas are a complex area.
Contact IARC in Sydney for a referral to a competent agent (be prepared
Jeremy
-- This is not intended to be legal or professional advice in any jurisdiction
