1 July student visa changes
From 1 July 2016 there will be significant changes to the student visa program including:
There will only be two student visa subclasses: Subclass 500 (Student) and subclass 590 (Student Guardian) – this is significantly different to the current 8 student visa subclasses.
The application and processing requirements will be streamlined by making the criteria relating to enrolment, English language requirements, financial capacity, and genuineness of application for entry and stay as a student common to all student visa applications.
There is a simplified range of requirements including enrolment, financial and other requirements relating to visas previously held if the application is made in Australia.
The current regulatory assessment level framework will be repealed and instead there will be streamlined processing provisions and new requirements providing a larger range of factors for decision makers to assess genuineness and the need for individuals to provide evidence of financial and English proficiency.
A condition placed on student visas will make it clear to visa holders what kinds of courses they are permitted to undertake while holding the particular visa and when a change of course would require them to apply for a new student visa.