As per the new Labor Government fronted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, proposals have been put forward that will see big changes to the procedures taken when assessing international students for a student visa in Australia.
Talks indicate that the new regulations will have applicants assessed in a shorter time period and the amount of finance students are required to have in possession in order to support themselves during their study prior to having a visa granted will be reduced. This will make it an easier process for the applicant.
The proposals are set to simplify the entire student visa foundation by eliminating the fourth and fifth (final) assessment levels. For example, if an applicant originates from a higher risk country such as India and wishes to apply for a student visa to study at TAFE, they would be deemed a Level 4. As per new the proposed structure and subject to legislation, the highest possible risk level an applicant could be is a Level 3.
The financial requirements and processing times are usually relative to the granted assessment level. By eliminating the fourth and fifth assessment levels, this will reduce the financial requirements and lessen the processing time for applicants from some nations; ultimately making it a much less complex task to come to Australia for study purposes.
‘Subject to the legislative change process, we intend to implement these changes in early 2014,’ was said by a department spokesman.
The same spokesman also pointed out that the GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) requirement which was introduced in November 2011 would still continue to stay in effect. The GTE prevents non-genuine applicants from gaining a visa for entry to Australia.
The proposed changes to simplify streamline the student visa and assessment levels will affect new student visa applications made after the changes have been implemented. Students currently studying in Australia will not be affected.
These changes will highly benefit those applying for a student visa from a high risk country.
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