What's New for Students and Sponsored Training?

Changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) from 23 March 2013

From 23 March 2013, in response to recommendations four and eight of the Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011 (the Knight Review), new post-study work arrangements will be introduced for graduates of an Australian Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree or Doctorate. The post-study work arrangements are being introduced as a new stream of the existing Temporary Skilled Graduate (subclass 485), which will be renamed the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).
See: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Cessation of automatic and mandatory student visa cancellations

From 13 April 2013 student visa holders will no longer be subject to automatic or mandatory visa cancellation if they breach their visa conditions. This change will provide fairer outcomes for students by allowing DIAC to take into account the individual circumstances of a student when considering a breach of visa conditions.
See: Cessation of automatic and mandatory student visa cancellations

Changes to Student Visa Living Cost Requirement from 1 July 2012

From 1 July 2012, as part of stage two of the Knight changes to the student visa program, the funds required for prospective Student visa applicants to demonstrate their ability to meet living costs in Australia is increasing from $18 000 to $18 610 per year.
See: Student Visa Living Costs and Evidence of Funds

Commencement of streamlined visa processing for student visas and other stage two Knight Review changes on 24 and 26 March 2012

On 24 March 2012, a number of key stage two Knight Review changes to the student visa program commenced. These included streamlined visa processing for certain prospective university students and changes to make English language study more accessible.

From 26 March 2012 more flexible work conditions were introduced for student visa holders.
See: Implementation of the Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program

Reduction of certain Student visa assessment levels from 24 March 2012

Student visa assessment levels for 29 countries, for certain Student visa subclasses, have been reduced from 24 March 2012. Student visa applications for these countries and visa subclasses lodged on or after 24 March 2012 will be subject to these new assessment levels.

These changes lower the minimum evidentiary requirements needed for the grant of a Student visa for the selected countries and education sectors.
See: Reduction of Certain Student Visa Assessment Levels

Review of the Student visa assessment level framework: discussion paper – 31 January 2012

This discussion paper seeks stakeholder submissions on the issues raised in the Review of the Student Visa Assessment Level Framework Terms of Reference.  Submissions close 16 March 2012.
See: Review of the Student Visa Assessment Level Framework

SkillSelect – 27 January 2012

SkillSelect is an online system that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI).  People intending to migrate to Australia may be found and nominated for skilled visas by Australian employers or state and territory governments, or they may be invited by the Australian Government to lodge a visa application.

SkillSelect will be implemented on 1 July 2012.
See: SkillSelect

Key issues impacting on Student visas

Key changes that will impact on the Student Visa Program in the next 12 months.
See: Key Issues Impacting on Student Visas

Commencement of stage one implementation of the Knight Review changes to the student visa program

Stage one of the government's response to the Knight Review of the student visa program commenced on 5 November 2011
See: Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program

Introduction of Fraud Public Interest Criterion from 5 November 2011

From 5 November 2011, Fraud Public Interest Criterion (PIC) will apply to all visa subclasses in the Student Visa Program.
See: Fraud Public Interest Criterion

New research on Studying in Australia: Views from six key countries

Australian Education International recently published the results of a survey they conducted in six of Australia's largest source countries for international students which examines perceptions of studying in Australia.

The survey results concluded that the three most important factors in deciding where to study were the quality of education, the cost of tuition and the cost of living. It also concluded that about 90 per cent of prospective students thought that Australia's visa system was not difficult or complex. Students ranked Australia as taking the shortest time to process student visas, and ranked the United Kingdom and the United States of America as taking the longest.
See: Studying in Australia: Views from Six Key Countries (PDF file)

Release of the Knight Report and the government's response – 22 September 2011

The Government's response to the Hon Michael Knight AO's report, Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011, was released on 22 September 2011. The Government supports in principle all of Mr Knight's 41 recommendations.
See: Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program

Recent key initiatives in the student visa program

This document provides an overview of key initiatives in the student visa program.
See: Recent Key Initiatives in the Student Visa Program ( 68KB PDF file)

Change relating to temporary work sponsorship from 2 April

From 2 April 2011 foreign government agencies will be able to seek approval as sponsors for the Occupational Trainee (Subclass 442) visa.
See: How this Visa Works

Student visa assessments for diploma and advanced diploma courses

From 1 January 2011, if you are applying for a Student visa to study a diploma or advanced diploma course that is recognised as a higher education diploma or a higher education advanced diploma, your Student visa application can be assessed as subclass 573.
See:
Student Visa Assessments - Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas Studied at a Higher Education Institution ( 60KB PDF file)