Key changes under SSVF (Simplified Student Visa framework)
The SSVF has been designed to make the process of applying for a student visa simpler to navigate for genuine students, deliver a more targeted approach to immigration integrity and reduce red tape for business.
From 1 July 2016:
- international students will apply for a single Student visa (subclass 500) regardless of their chosen course of study
- student guardians will apply for the new Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
- a single immigration risk framework will apply to all international students
- all students and student guardians will generally be required to lodge their visa application online by creating an account in ImmiAccount.
Combined country and provider immigration risk model
The combined immigration risk outcomes of the student’s education provider and country of citizenship are used to guide the level of financial and English language capacity related documentation that the student needs to provide with their student visa application.
Online document checklist tool for students
The online document checklist tool advises students about the documentation they need to provide with their visa application based on their combined country provider immigration risk outcomes. The tool can be found at Student visa (subclass 500). More information is available about combined country provider immigration risk model (policy overview).
Family members of students
Family members of existing student visa holders will need to apply for a subclass 500 visa if they do not currently hold a student visa and wish to join you in Australia. Generally, the same level of evidentiary requirements of financial capacity applied to primary applicants (students) would apply to your family members, including subsequent dependants. In all circumstances, our officers have discretion to ask for further evidence of funds, if required.
Changing course
On 1 July 2016, a new condition was introduced requiring all Student visa (subclass 500) holders to maintain enrolment at the same level or a higher Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level for which they were granted a visa, unless they are undertaking a doctoral degree (AQF10) and transfer to a master’s degree (AQF9). Transferring to a lower AQF level course or transferring from an AQF level course to a non-AQF Award course is a breach of the student visa condition and might result in the visa being cancelled. Students who want to change to a lower level course or non-award course must apply for, and be granted, a new student visa before change their course. Please access below link for more information about changing courses. https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Stud/More/Changing-courses
Standard 7 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 also applies to transfers between CRICOS registered providers. More information is available at the Department of Education and Training’s website
https://internationaleducation.gov.au/Regulatory-Information/Education-Services-for-Overseas-Students-ESOS-Legislative-Framework/National-Code/Pages/default.aspx.
Changing your education provider - all student visa holders
In addition to ensuring that you comply with your visa conditions, there are also requirements under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) National Code that apply if you want to change your education provider. If you have not completed six months of your principal course (the main course of study you are undertaking) and you want to change your education provider, the ESOS National Code sets out the circumstances in which this will be possible. Unless special circumstances apply, you are usually required to have the permission of your existing education provider in order to transfer to another education provider for more information see AEA's policy on this website under Policy and Forms tab.