RSG Client Update: New streamlined student visas for Australia The Australian Government recently revealed its new policy regarding Australias international education sector. The package of reforms aims to simplify student visas through a streamlined assessment-level framework (ALF) and by extending streamlined visa processing arrangements to low-risk non-university degree providers. The Australian Government intends that the changes will assist all education providers, but particularly the vocational education and training sector, making access to Australias education system more attractive for overseas students. A summary of the proposed changes are: • Reducing the assessment levels under the ALF from five levels to three; • Financial evidence for AL3 students would reduce from 18 months to 12 months, provided funds were from a close relative of the student applicant (this means that students from a number of countries would be able to apply for a student visa with up to $A40 000 less in the bank; • Streamlining of the visa application process would apply up to 22 low-risk non-university providers for students enrolled in Bachelor, Masters or Doctoral degree courses or an eligible exchange programme. Streamlined visa processing is currently in place for certain prospective students of participating universities. Student visa applications that are lodged with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a participating university in Australia for a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree or an eligible exchange programme are assessed as though they are a lower immigration risk, similar to the current Assessment Level 1, regardless of the applicants country of origin. The advantage is faster processing times, and easier for students as they are not required to provide the same levels of documentary evidence needed for higher assessment levels.. All applicants under the streamlined visa processing are still be subject to basic requirements such as having health insurance and meeting the health and character requirements. The department can still request documentary evidence to verify an applicants claims. To be eligible for the proposed extended streamlined visa processing, applicants need to provide a CoE from a participating education provider when they lodge your student visa application. This CoE must be for a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree or an eligible exchange programme. Students must provide a CoE from a participating education provider when they lodge their application to be eligible for the proposed extended streamlined visa processing. If students are not eligible for the proposed extended streamlined visa processing they can still apply for a student visa under the existing assessment level framework. The package would be formally legislated for in early 2014. RSG Law will be providing updates on this matter as information comes to hand.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 06:13:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015