New Changes for Australia FAQs

Visa Processing Improvements (Recommendations 3, 5, 6, 18, 38 to 40)

Latest Update for 5th Nov. 2011 and further.
Frequently asked questions

How is the government proposing to improve visa processing?

A number of the changes are being proposed in order to help simplify and improve the student

visa application process and the processing of student visas. The main changes would include:

• streamlined visa processing for applicants of eligible universities

• student visas will be able to be granted in advance of four months before the start of the

course

• the regular review and update of the living cost component of student visa financial

requirements.

In addition, the following changes were implemented on 5 November 2011:

• reductions in financial requirements for Assessment Level 3 and Assessment Level 4

student visa applicants

• stopping the Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) policy.

Financial requirements reduction

How have the financial requirements for higher risk Assessment Level 3 and

Assessment Level 4 student visa applicants changed?

From 5 November 2011, the financial requirements for Assessment Level 3 and Assessment Level

4 student visa applicants were reduced in the following way:

• evidence of funds for Assessment Level 4 applicants reduced from 36 to 24 months and

their savings history reduced from six to three months

• evidence of funds for Assessment Level 3 applicants reduced from 24 to 18 months.

This reduces the financial requirements by up to approximately AUD36 000 for an Assessment

Level 4 applicant and up to approximately AUD18 000 for an Assessment Level 3 applicant.

Where can I find more information on the financial requirements reduction?

More information is available.

See: www.immi.gov.au/students/_pdf/2011-vet-schools-non-award.pdf

Streamlined processing for applicants of eligible universities

What is the streamlined processing proposal?

Under the proposal for streamlined visa processing, the Department of Immigration and

Citizenship (the department) would treat student visa applicants with a Confirmation of Enrolment

(CoE) from an eligible university as though they were lower migration risk (similar to the current

Assessment Level 1), regardless of country of origin. This is proposed to commence in time for

second semester 2012.

Where can I get more information on streamlined processing?

More information is available.

See: www.immi.gov.au/students/_pdf/2011-university-sector-streamlined-processing.pdf

PVA

What is PVA?

PVA was a student visa processing policy where prospective international students in

Assessment Level 3 and Assessment Level 4 groups were required to apply for a student visa on

the basis of a letter of offer of a place in a course. The student visa applications were initially

assessed by the department and, if the PVA assessment was successful, students were issued a

PVA letter to present to their education provider in order to obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment

(CoE).

The intention of PVA was to assist education providers by providing an initial assessment of a

student visa application before a CoE could be issued. This ensured that some higher-risk

students who were refused student visas did not have to apply for a refund of their enrolment

fees from education providers.

However, this policy resulted in lengthy visa processing times. Also, an application that was

progressed through the PVA process was inappropriately considered by some prospective

students as a guarantee of a visa grant, whereas in fact applications were able to be refused

post-PVA assessment.

What does the cessation of PVA arrangements mean?

From 5 November 2011, Assessment Level 3 and Assessment Level 4 student visa applications

made outside Australia need to include CoEs as part of their student visa applications. Education

providers will no longer require a PVA letter before issuing CoEs to these students.

This change is intended to reduce the time it takes to process a student visa.

Why cease the PVA arrangements?

Ceasing PVA arrangements reduces double handling of student visa applications and should

result in quicker visa processing times, provided that applications are complete when lodged.

 

How will the department process student visa applications that were lodged

prior to 5 November 2011 that have not been given a PVA?

The cessation of PVA arrangements, and therefore the issuing of PVA letters, only applies to

student visa applications lodged on or after 5 November 2011. Student visa applications made

outside Australia and lodged prior to 5 November 2011, will be processed under the previous

PVA arrangements. This means students will be issued a PVA letter once their application’s

initial assessment is finalised.

CoEs provided to the department with student visa applications that were lodged prior to

5 November 2011 and prior to the applicant receiving a PVA letter will be processed without

issuing a PVA letter.

What happens to student visa applicants who have paid their enrolment

fees and are then refused their student visa?

These applicants need to seek a refund from the education provider.

Ability to grant student visas in advance of four months before the

start of the course

Why would student visas be granted four months in advance of the start of

the course?

This change would help to provide more flexible visa arrangements for international students

wishing to arrive in Australia earlier.

The department would still have to be satisfied that these applicants satisfy the legislated criteria

for the grant of the visa, including adequate arrangements for health insurance for the length of

the visa.

Which student visa applicants would be affected by this change?

This change would apply to all student visas subclasses.

What would happen to student visa applications that are unfinalised when

the changes are implemented?

It is proposed that these applications would be assessed under the new arrangements.

Would student visa applicants be required to provide any further

documentation in support of their applications if this proposed change isimplemented?