27/03/2012
Dear Members,
Thank you for your support.
This is to remind you that Streamlined Visa Processing stemming from the Knight Review will start taking effect in Australia tomorrow, Mar 24, 2012.
Under streamlined visa processing, DIAC will assess all students who apply for visa with a COE from a participating Australian university for Bachelor, 2+2 / 3+1, Master, Doctoral and packaged programs involving the participating university at Assessment Level 1 (AL 1). All universities in Australia except The University of Notre Dame are participating in the streamlined visa processing program.
There are other new relaxed visa policies from the Knight Review that will also be implemented tomorrow:
* Students from AL 3 countries with subclass 571 visa for English language study for Schools Sector can now study up to max. 50 weeks instead of 40.
* Students from AL 4 countries who are applying for subclass 571 visa for English language study for Schools Sector no longer need to provide English test scores to support their visa application.
* Student Guardian (subclass 580) visa holders can take up unlimited ELICOS study on a part-time basis (less than 20 hours per week).
Please also note two other IMPORTANT visa changes which will take effect next Monday, Mar 26, 2012:
* Student visa holders will be able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight (2 weeks) during school semester, instead of 20 hours per week.
* Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student visa holders will be able to work unlimited hours once their course begins.
For more information on all the Knight Review visa changes scheduled for Stage 2 implementation this month of March, please visit www.immi.gov.au/students/knight/.
The international education sector is one of Australia's largest export industries and is important to Australia in supporting bilateral ties with key partner countries, supporting employment in a broad range of occupations throughout the Australian economy, as well as delivering high-value skills...