Australia Announces Encouraging Student Visa Changes

The changes are designed to position Australia as an attractive study destination.

Australia has introduced new student visa changes to allow those who undertake online study outside the country because of Covid-19 to count this towards post-study work permits.

New rules

Here are the updated changes to the student visa arrangements:

· The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel.

· Eligibility requirements for a post-study work visa (Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) will be relaxed for applicants who are enrolled with an Australian education provider and have been impacted by Covid-19 and associated travel restrictions. Under these arrangements:

o Existing and new student visa holders who undertake online study outside Australia because of Covid-19 will be able to count this towards the Australian Study Requirement.

o Eligible graduates affected by travel restrictions will also be able to apply for and be granted a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa outside Australia.

· Additional time will be given for applicants to provide English-language results where Covid-19 has disrupted access to these services. Additional time will also be provided to undertake biometric collection and health checks where Covid-19 has disrupted access to services.

Priority destination for international students

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The changes are designed to position Australia as an attractive study destination and give international students confidence in their visa arrangements. “Australia prides itself on being a welcoming nation with a world-class education system and some of the lowest rates of Covid-19 in the world,” the government said on its website.

International students are highly important to Australia and its economy, contributing AUD 40 billion annually and supporting 250,000 jobs, according to data from the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Source: Australian Government