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New student visa processing priorities

Due to the high levels of demand for Subclass 500 (Student) visas the Minister has determined the order of priority for considering and disposing of Student Guardian visa applications and offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications as specified in this Direction. 

The order of processing of these applications are the following:

  1. Offshore Student visa applications when the primary applicant:
  • is a school student, Foreign Affairs student or Defence student;
  • intends to undertake a full-time course of study under a secondary school student exchange program;
  • intends to undertake a higher education course or a full-time registered course of study or training at an EL1 rated institution;
  • intends to undertake a postgraduate research course.
  1. Student Guardian visa applications.
  2. Offshore Student visa applications of applicants intend to undertake a higher education course or a full-time registered course of study or training at an EL2 rated institution.
  3. Offshore Student visa applications of applicants intend to undertake a higher education course or a full-time registered course of study or training at an EL3 rated institution.
  4. Offshore Student visa applications made by subsequent entrants.

Moreover, the Direction further specifies the following:

  • Any secondary applicant (spouse, de-facto partner or dependent child) who is included in the primary visa application will be given the same priority as the primary applicant;
  • Subsequent entrant means a secondary applicant for a student visa who did not make a combined application with the primary applicant / primary visa holder;
  • offshore Sc 500 applicants undertaking two or more course of study will be given priority over applicants intending to only undertake one course;
  • Where the primary applicant intends to undertake two or more courses of study (course packaging), the application will be given the order of priority that applies to the principal course of study (i.e. the course of study with the highest Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level).

The new student visa processing priorities apply to all visa applications lodged on or from 15 December 2023, as well as applications lodged prior to this date that are yet to be finalised.

Student visa applications lodged in Australia will continue to be processed according to existing processing arrangements.

Are you interested in student visa to Australia? You can ask me questions at any time.

Just email me at office@yuliamoiseeva.com.au and describe your migration issues!

Yulia Moiseeva & Associates

Yulia Moiseeva & Associates was established in 2010 to assist people to change their life to a better one, to relocate and settle in Australia stress-free. We develop an immigration strategy and provide the most successful results.
Yulia Moiseeva Principal and Senior Registered Migration Agent MARN 1066715.
Olga Grinevetskaya Senior Registered Migration Agent MARN 1807885.

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