Reduction of Certain Student Visa Assessment Levels
Reductions in Student visa assessment levels for 29 countries for certain Student visa subclasses were announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship on 15 February 2012. These reductions took effect on 24 March 2012.
These changes lower the minimum evidentiary requirements needed for the grant of a Student visa for certain countries and education sectors.
The following is a list of countries and Student visa subclasses affected by the assessment level decreases which took effect on 24 March 2012.
| Passport Held | Visa Subclass/Education Sector | Updated Assessment Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Belize | Subclass 572 – VET | AL2 |
| Bhutan | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Botswana | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL1 |
| Botswana | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL1 |
| Bulgaria | Subclass 570 – ELICOS | AL1 |
| Bulgaria | Subclass 572 – VET | AL1 |
| Bulgaria | Subclass 573 – Higher Ed | AL1 |
| Bulgaria | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL1 |
| China, Peoples Republic of | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Ecuador | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Egypt | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| India | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Indonesia | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL1 |
| Indonesia | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Jordan | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL2 |
| Kazakhstan | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Kazakhstan | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL2 |
| Korea, South | Subclass 570 – ELICOS | AL1 |
| Korea, South | Subclass 572 – VET | AL1 |
| Latvia | Subclass 572 – VET | AL1 |
| Lebanon | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL2 |
| Lebanon | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Lebanon | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL3 |
| Maldives | Subclass 570 – ELICOS | AL2 |
| Maldives | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL1 |
| Maldives | Subclass 573 – Higher Ed | AL1 |
| Mauritius | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL1 |
| Mexico | Subclass 572 – VET | AL1 |
| Montenegro, Republic of | Subclass 570 – ELICOS | AL2 |
| Montenegro, Republic of | Subclass 572 – VET | AL2 |
| Montenegro, Republic of | Subclass 573 – Higher Ed | AL2 |
| Montenegro, Republic of | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL2 |
| Namibia | Subclass 573 – Higher Ed | AL2 |
| Nepal | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Nicaragua | Subclass 570 – ELICOS | AL2 |
| Nicaragua | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL2 |
| Nicaragua | Subclass 572 – VET | AL2 |
| Nicaragua | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL2 |
| Philippines | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL1 |
| Reunion | Subclass 572 – VET | AL1 |
| Reunion | Subclass 573 – Higher Ed | AL1 |
| Seychelles | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL1 |
| Seychelles | Subclass 572 – VET | AL1 |
| Seychelles | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL1 |
| Suriname | Subclass 573 – Higher Ed | AL2 |
| Suriname | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL2 |
| Tanzania | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL2 |
| Tanzania | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Turkey | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL2 |
| Turkey | Subclass 572 – VET | AL2 |
| Ukraine | Subclass 570 – ELICOS | AL2 |
| Ukraine | Subclass 571 – Schools | AL2 |
| Ukraine | Subclass 573 – Higher Ed | AL2 |
| Ukraine | Subclass 574 – Post Grad Research | AL1 |
| Ukraine | Subclass 575 – Non–Award | AL2 |
| Venezuela | Subclass 572 – VET | AL1 |
Frequently asked Questions
Q: I am an international student studying in Australia. Do these changes affect me?
A: These changes only affect new Student visa applications made on or after 24 March 2012.
Q: What does a reduction of assessment levels mean to Student visa applicants?
A: Students affected by the changes required to provide less documentary evidence to support their claims for the grant of a Student visa. These may include evidence of English language proficiency, financial capacity and academic qualifications.
Q: Where can I find out more information about assessment levels?
A: Further information on assessment levels including a full list of current assessment levels is available on the department's website.
See: Student Visa Assessment Levels