Faster Australian student visas

Since 22 March 2014, international students and education providers in Australia have enjoyed faster and simpler Australian student visas processing from changes introduced which includes

• a refined assessment level (AL) framework - in use NOW
• the extension of streamlined visa processing to certain non-university degree providers - to commence early 2015

Faster Australian student visas

What is the Assessment Levels Framework?

The AL framework manages immigration risk in the student visa programme by aligning minimum evidentiary requirements from student visa applications to the immigration risks posed by applicants of a particular country applying for a particular student visa subclass.

Assessments Levels

Simplifying the AL framework benefits students from China and India, and has assisted vocational education and training students. Assessments levels have been reduced from 5 to 3 (with AL4 and AL5 being grouped in AL3), and financial evidence for AL3 has been reduced from 18 months to 12 months. Note: AL1 is the lowest risk.

In addition, English language proficiency, financial capacity and previous study requirements have been lowered. This means that certain students can begin studying in Australia at a less advanced level now.

Extension of Streamlined Visa Processing

Streamlined visa processing allows eligible student visa applicants from participating universities and eligible non-university higher education providers are assessed as though they are a lower immigration risk, irrespective of country of origin.

The government has announced that it intends to further extend streamlined visa processing to low immigration risk education providers offering advanced diploma courses. This new arrangement is anticipated to start in early 2015.

Visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website for more information.