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Australia December 21, 2010 – A review of student visa program have been announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP and Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans. A new Student Visa measures have been announced by the Australian immigration minister.

The education providers and stakeholders are highlighted on the strategic review of the Australian Student Visa program as they are given an important opportunity to share their vision of the sector’s future.

The international education sector is also mentioned on the announcement and is given a package of measures which has come under increasing pressure. It is the result of the rising value of the Australian dollar and the continuous impact of the global financial crisis in some countries. The growing competitions from the United States, New Zealand and Canada for international students have been emphasized as well.

According to Mr. Evans, this review is done to enhance the continued competitiveness of the international education sector. It is also implemented by the government to strengthen the integrity of the student visa program.
Hon Michael Knight AO is appointed by the Australian government to undertake the review. He was asked to report to Mr. Bowen and Senator Evans by mid 2011.

A package of measures is also expected to be introduced by the government to modernize the visa application process for lower risk group while continuing to maintain the integrity of Australian immigration.

One of these measures is to reduce the student visa assessment levels from 2011. It is indicated in the recent assessment level review which was led by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The higher education visa assessment levels for Chinese and Indian students will also be reduced as part of the decision.

The next measure is the refining of rules to further allow pre-paid boarding fees to be counted toward students’ cost of living requirements in their visa application.

The DIAC website will soon to improve the information exchange between the government and the international education sector. This includes the provision of a quarterly statistical publication on the student visa program to allow the sector to track emerging student visa trends.

Assessment level for Vocational Education and Training (VET) students will also be allowed to undertake a package of certificate level courses to qualify or meet visa requirements.

source:
visabureau