« Student visa assessment levels reduced »

The assessment levels will be reduced for students from 29 countries with effect from 24 March 2012 as the Government continues its implementations based on the Knight Review.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, announced the changes today and he anticipates that these changes will help 10,500 prospective students. 

A complete list of the updated assessment levels, and relevant countries and visa subclasses, can be found on the DIAC website.

Mr Bowen said that, 'The reduction in assessment levels builds on the measures implemented as a result of the Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program, undertaken by the Hon Michael Knight AO, to ensure Australia remains an attractive study option for overseas students'.

The changes are particularly expected to help postgraduate research applicants, English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and vocational education and training (VET) providers.

Assessment levels align visa requirements to the immigration risk posed by students from every country and in each education sector. They are regularly reviewed and amended to accurately reflect the risk posed by a student cohort.

The Knight Review also proposed that certain countries had their assessment levels increased however the Government have not implemented these increases at this time. Instead they have placed the countries and sectors on notice and will review the assessment levels in the future.