Important News: Changes to the Student visa programme from 22 March 2014
On 29 October 2013, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection released the Review of the Assessment Level (AL) Framework (the Review). The Review made eight recommendations, with three key recommendations to be implemented on 22 March 2014. These include:
• The extension of streamlined visa processing (SVP) to low immigration risk providers
SVP arrangements will be extended to 19 eligible non-university higher education providers. To be eligible for SVP, any preliminary courses must be provided by a participating provider/educational business partner of that provider.
• Simplifying the AL Framework to three ALs with the removal of AL4 and AL5
AL4 and AL5 will be removed from the framework with current AL4 countries/sectors becoming AL3. This will allow all international students seeking a Schools sector visa to enrol in Australia schools from Year 7 instead of from Year 10.
• A reduction in financial requirements for AL3 applicants
Currently an AL3 student visa applicant must provide evidence of funds from an acceptable source to pay for their expenses for the first 18 months of their stay in Australia. This will be reduced to the first 12 months. However, as a result of this change, funds for AL3 applicants will now need to be provided by the student visa applicant or a close relative only.
See also:
Extension of streamlined visa processing to non-university education providers
Proposed Simplification of the Student Visa Assessment Level Framework
Page Last Updated: 19 March 2014