Education Embassy Brisbane: Recently, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) in the Australian government made numerous changes to the student visa and the skilled migration visa. These changes were build up in knight review. An immigration commission is appointed by the Government of Australia to find ways of making study easy in Australia for international students. Thus, the recent changes made in student visa will impact all international students applying for study visa from 2012 to onwards.

Changes made in Student Visa

• Changes in the requirements of English language test

DIBP now permits student visa candidates to submit their English language proficiency results from the Pearson test of English and Academic test. Previously, DIBP accepts only the IELTS exam.

• Streamlined visa processing

Student visa candidates who apply their applications with a COE letter i.e. Confirmation of Enrollment from relevant colleges or universities for a bachelor’s degree, diploma, master’s degree, and doctoral degree. Furthermore, the student exchange program or study abroad program will be evaluated in a streamlined manner. Now, the student visa applicants will not have to give more evidence for their visa application.

• Change in cost of student visa

The overall charges of the student visa have been reduced to $535. There are no fees for applying under the commonwealth-approved program. You can hire migration agents in Brisbane as they provide you with updated notifications of the visa and immigration rules.

• A slight change in living cost requirements

The cost of the overall living expenses in Australia for student visa applicants has increased from AUD 18000/year to 18,610$ per year. As a result of this, international students are financially eligible for staying in Australia. Moreover, they will have to switch to the relevant funds at the time of their stay. Now homestay charge is included in the financial requirements for a study visa.

• Changes in Employment restrictions

The employment restrictions have been changed under this new student visa program. Before 2012, international students were allowed to work up to 20 hours a week. This has been changed to 40 hours per fortnight. This means that now the students can work 15 hours per week. This change provides a huge benefit to various International students. Students can start working once they have started studying. There are no restrictions on work for the students pursuing a doctoral degree.

• Intro to the Post-study work visa

A post-study work visa is introduced by the government of Australia in 2013 which permits several international students completing a bachelor’s degree or doctoral degree from a reputed Australian university. Under this visa, a student has a right to live in Australia to grab equivalent work experience after their graduation. Recently pass out graduates or masters can apply for a post-study work visa which is valid for two years. The duration of the visa is increased for three years for a Master's degree holder and for Ph.D. holders it will be 4 years.