New Updates on Student Visa Application | Update December 2023

1. Priority for Student Visa Applications and Guardian Visa Applications

Government has introduce new scheme on visa application system called “Evidence Level.” Each CRICOS-registered school or educational institution will be assigned a corresponding evidence level. This system helps determining the priority of processing sequence for visa applications from international students wishing to study in Australia.

For student visa applications submitted outside Australia, priority will be given to:

– Applicants studying in the Schools sector, Foreign Affairs or Defence sector, and Postgraduate Research sector.
– Applicants studying in the Higher Education, ELICOS, VET, Non-Award sector at institutions with Evidence Level 1.
– Subsequent Entrant applications submitted outside Australia, including unmarried family members under 18 years old.
– Guardian Visa applications (submitted within or outside Australia).

Applications of dependants (spouse, de-facto partner, or dependent child) included in the primary visa application will receive similar prioritisation as the primary applicant.

Subsequent applicants refer to those who are applying for a student visa as a secondary applicant but not lodging a combined application with the primary applicant/main visa holder.

In cases where the primary applicant intends to undertake two or more courses (packaged course), the application will be prioritized based on the highest Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level of the main course.

The visa processing priorities for new student visa applications apply to all applications submitted on or after December 15, 2023, as well as those submitted before this date that have not been finalized.

Student visa applications lodged in Australia will continue to be processed under the existing processing arrangements.

2. TOP 10 Universities in Australia released

Australia Financial Review has just released the Best Universities Ranking 2023 list, revealing the top universities in Australia. This ranking evaluation is based on the following criteria:

1. Student satisfaction
2. Research outcomes
3. Global reputation
4. Impact on future careers
5. Equity – accessibility opportunities for students.

Let’s take a look at the TOP 10 universities that AFR has assessed as the best in Australia!

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