On 1 July 2016, Australia will make a number of changes to its student visa processes. These changes include the introduction of a simplified student visa framework (SSVF).

https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Stud/student-visas-1july2016  

Under the SSVF:

• all international students will now apply for a single Student visa (subclass 500), regardless of their chosen course of study  
• all international students will be required to apply for their student visa online
• a new immigration risk framework will be used to guide the evidence of English language and financial capacity that a student needs to provide with their visa application. 

Why the Australian Government is making these changes

The SSVF will support the sustainable growth of Australia’s international education sector by making the process of applying for a student visa simpler to navigate for genuine students, delivering a more targeted approach to immigration integrity and reducing red tape for business.The SSVF is designed to make the process of applying for a student visa simpler to navigate for genuine students, deliver a more targeted approach to immigration integrity and reduce red tape.

Applying for a student visa

From 1 July 2016:

• international students will apply for a single Student visa (subclass 500), regardless of their chosen course of study
• student guardians will apply for the new Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
• all students and student guardians will generally be required to lodge their visa application online by creating an account in ImmiAccount.