The simplified student visa framework (SSVF) came into effect on 1 July 2016. The SSVF is designed to make the process of applying for a student visa simpler to navigate for genuine students.
(More information about ImmiAccount is available at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying-online-or-on-paper/overview
A single immigration risk framework applies to all international students and replaces the previous streamlined visa processing and Assessment Level frameworks. Under the SSVF, the combined immigration risk outcomes of the student’s education provider and country of citizenship will be used to guide the level of documentary evidence of English language and financial capacity that the student needs to provide with their visa application.
Students associated with the lowest immigration risk will generally have streamlined evidentiary requirements. This means these students will generally be able to satisfy the Department of their financial capacity by providing a declaration and their English proficiency by a Confirmation of Enrolment. The Department will however retain the discretion to seek further evidence where appropriate.
By using the online client service tool students will be able to obtain details about the documentation and evidence that will need to be included with their student visa application.
All student visa applicants must have sufficient funds available for the duration of their stay in Australia. Students associated with higher immigration risk, based on their country of citizenship and education provider immigration risk outcomes, will generally need to provide additional documentary evidence of financial capacity with their visa application.
The immigration department’s online client service tool will indicates that documentary evidence of financial capacity is required based on the institute the student is applying for. Where additional evidence of financial capacity is required, the student will be able to demonstrate this by providing either:
The income demonstrated must be the personal income of the student’s spouse or parents only. In circumstances where both the student’s parents are working their combined income
can be considered for this requirement. In all cases the evidence of annual income must be in the form of official government documentation, such as a tax assessment.
All students must show evidence of the first 12-month living costs. The type of evidence, where required, includes: money deposit or education loan with a financial institution, government loan, scholarship or sponsorship.
(For any dependent children aged 5 years and above the evidence of school costs also applies)
Please Note: Financial amounts including annual income, living costs and schooling costs will be regularly reviewed and adjusted from time to time
All student visa holders must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while they are in Australia. Evidence of the cover must be submitted at the time of visa application.
Where evidence of English Ianguage proficiency is required, the following minimum English language test scores will be accepted:
The Immigration Department’s online client service tool will indicates that documentary evidence of English language proficiency is required, it is important for applicants to attach these documents to their visa application prior to lodgement. Failure to do so may result visa refusal.
Currently some institutes offer some students exemption from providing evidence of an English language test score, regardless of the level of immigration risk that applies. Under the SSVF, the following student categories will continue to be exempt from providing evidence of English language proficiency requirements with their visa application regardless of the immigration risk rating that applies:
Under the SSVF, there is no limitation on the maximum duration of ELICOS study that may be undertaken. Genuine students will be able to undertake as much ELICOS study as either a standalone course or prior to their principal course, as required.
The funds shown in the visa application must be available for use by the student to financially support them and any accompanying family members during their stay in Australia.
When considering whether the funds shown will be genuinely available, the Department will take into account factors including:
All students must be enrolled in a registered course of study and provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when they lodge their student visa application.
All students under 18 must continue to have welfare arrangements in place for the duration of their stay in Australia AND provide one of the following forms of evidence at the time they lodge their visa application:
All students will continue to be able to package two or more courses on the one student visa where there is progression from one course to another.
The Department aims to finalise 75 per cent of complete student visa applications within 4 to 6 week from the time of lodgement. To reduce visa processing times, students are advised to submit neat and clear copies of all documents and lodge for visa atleast 6 weeks before the course start date
For error free visa guidance contact us