Changes to Student Visa Programme

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) will implement changes to the student visa programme starting from 1 July 2016.

These are the key changes that will take effect:

• Reduction of the student visa subclasses to one subclass, subclass 500.
• Under the new regulation all students are required to have sufficient funds available for their stay in Australia.
  In most cases students only need to declare that they have sufficient funds and are not required to proof the funds. However, immigration retains the discretion to request for evidence that such funds exist.
• All students will be required to maintain enrolment at the same level or higher level of study according to according to the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).
  Transferring to a lower AQF level course or transferring from an AQF level course to a non-AQF Award course would be in breach of the student visa condition and might result in the visa being cancelled.
• The immigration will aim to finalise 75 percent of the applications within a month of lodgement.
• Incomplete visa application risks getting the visa application process delayed or worse, rejected.
• The maximum duration of English study a student can take will now be abolished. Genuine students will now be able to do as much English study.

General evidentiary requirements for students associated with the lower immigration risk:

• Confirmation of Enrolment
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• The immigration also retains the discretion to ask for the following documents:
  • Evidence of funds
    • This can be in the form of official government documentation that shows the students’, student’s spouse or student’s parents personal annual income of at least $60,000 - $70,000.
    • Money deposit or loan with institution that covers 12 months that covers living, course and other expenses for the student and accompanying family members.
    • Government loan
    • Scholarship or sponsorship from the government or other institutions related to the student
• Proof of English language ability
  Students holding UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland passports are not required to show any proof of English language ability.
  Not everyone is required to have evidence of English language ability. Please talk to us about this requirement.
• Documents to satisfy the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement
• Medical report
• Police clearance certificates

General evidentiary requirements for students associated with the higher immigration risk:

• Confirmation of Enrolment
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Documents to satisfy the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement
• Medical report
• Police clearance certificates – the immigration may request this document if necessary
• Evidence of funds
  • This can be in the form of official government documentation that shows the students’, student’s spouse or student’s parents personal annual income of at least $60,000 - $70,000.
  • Money deposit or loan with institution that covers 12 months that covers living, course and other expenses for the student and accompanying family members.
  • Government loan
  • Scholarship or sponsorship from the government or other institutions related to the student
• Proof of English language ability
  Students that are under this immigration risk are generally required to show proof that they meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement by taking and passing either of the English tests specified below.

OR, proof that you have completed at least five years study in one or more of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland

OR, proof that you have successfully completed in Australia in the English language either the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education

OR, proof that you have completedstudies at the Certificate IV or higher level, in the two years before applying for the student visa.

For more information please visit the Immigration’s website at https://www.border.gov.au/.