Student Visa Assessment Levels Changed

Media Release – 3 September 2008

Improved compliance by international students studying in Australia has prompted an easing of student visa assessment levels for 43 countries in one or more education sectors.

Strong growth in the student visa program with 278 000 visas granted to international students in 2007-08 – an increase of 22 per cent on 2006-07 – combined with the improving visa compliance of many international students, are positive signs for Australia’s international education industry.

Of the 43 nations, more than half (23) including Brazil, Botswana, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, South Africa and Thailand, will be reduced to assessment level one in one or more education sectors. This will enable these applicants to join the growing number of students applying for their initial student visa online using the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) eVisa facility.

‘In 2007-08, more than 85 per cent of eligible students applying for their student visa from outside Australia chose to apply for a student eVisa,’ a departmental spokesman said. ‘Assessment levels are an objective, evidence-based method used by the department to determine student visa requirements based on immigration risk.

Read more here: Immigration News by immi.gov.au