New Australian Student Visa Rules – A Must-Know Information for International Students
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) announced new Australian student visa rules this December. These changes are part of a broader effort to create a fairer and more transparent system while maintaining the integrity of Australia’s migration framework. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you must know about the update on student visas in Australia.
Australia Student Visa Update: From MD 107 to MD 111
The Australian Government has replaced Ministerial Direction 107 (MD 107) with Ministerial Direction 111 (MD 111), marking a significant shift in the processing of student visas.
What is MD 107 and MD 111?
The MD 107 Order for processing Student Guardian visa applications and offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications is designed to support education providers with strong recruitment practices and manage the growing volume of visa applications. However, the Australian Government acknowledged that this approach disproportionately impacted education providers.
Thus, MD 111 was announced to address these issues and came into effect on 19 December 2024. Ministerial Direction 111 Order for considering and disposing of offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications applies to offshore visa applications that are either pending or submitted on or after 19 December 2024.
This new directive prioritizes fairness and equity by implementing a priority system for processing visa applications. The priorities are as follows:
Priority 1 – High visa processing
A high visa processing system applies to visa applications from providers that have not yet reached 80% of their 2025 projected allocation for new overseas student enrollments in the higher education and Vocational Education and Training sectors.
Priority 2 – Standard visa processing
Priority 2 applies to providers who have met their prioritization threshold, as well as to subsequent entrants and any other offshore student visa applications.
Find out: Best Diploma Course for PR in Australia
Australia Student Visa Update: Changes to Onshore Student Visa Application
Another update on Student Visa Australia is the change to the onshore student visa application, which will be effective 1 January 2025.
Onshore applicants must submit a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) instead of just a Letter of Offer from their education provider. Failure to include a CoE will result in an invalid application, and you will not be granted a Bridging visa.
With the current change, the evidence requirements for both onshore and offshore Student visa applications are aligned. Thus, students will strongly commit to studying at their chosen institution.
As this change applies in January 2025, if you lodge your application before this date, you will not be affected by the new update for student visa Australia.
Learn more: How to Apply for an Australia Student Visa
What Do the New Australian Student Visa Rules Mean to You?
This new update for Student Visa Australia will undoubtedly affect your visa application, which will make your application more challenging than before. With the introduction of MD 111, choosing your institution wisely and applying early to ensure timely processing is crucial. While the CoE requirement won’t affect this year’s applications, preparing for this change is vital if you plan to apply onshore in the future—without a CoE, your visa will not be processed.
Additionally, suppose your current visa is about to expire, and you wish to continue your studies. In that case, you must either apply for another visa or consider departing Australia before submitting an offshore application.
If you’re uncertain about navigating these changes, we’re here to help! With over a decade of successfully handling visa applications, even complex ones, we will ensure a smooth and timely process for you. Contact us through this link to get expert advice and assistance!
Secure Your Student Visa With ONEderland Consulting
Lodging your visa application under the new Australian student visa rules can be stressful, especially with the risk of rejection. However, we at ONEderland Consulting will help you save time and ensure a secure process during your visa application and health insurance enrollment. Our team of highly qualified and experienced migration specialists is dedicated to putting in a lot of effort and planning ahead of time on your behalf. We pay close attention to every detail and apply our extensive knowledge to handle even the most complex cases.
We are committed to being open and honest with you, keeping you updated and involved at every stage. We will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your future in Australia, and you can rely on us to be your dependable partner and advocate.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the MARA.
Take the first step and contact us. Our team members are professional and honest and speak various languages, such as Mandarin/Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.
