Australia has always attracted students all over the world, thanks to the country’s high-quality education and vibrant cities. Recent headlines around a tightened student visa policy might have you feeling uncertain of your chances and what it means for your future plans.
While there have been changes, your dream of studying Down Under is still very much achievable. Our useful guide will break down key things you need to know about the new policy and how a strong IELTS score can help improve your chances of securing that coveted visa.
Decoding Ministerial Direction 111
First, let's clear up the confusion surrounding the changes to the Australian student visa.
The previous Subclass 500 (Student) visa system was guided by Ministerial Direction 107, which has been revoked. It’s now been replaced by Ministerial Direction 111 (MD111), which came into effect 19 December 2024. MD111 now applies to all student visa applications in-progress or lodged on or after 19 Dec.
It's important to understand that MD111 is not an international student cap. Instead, it introduces a prioritisation system for processing Australian student visa applications. Think of it as a way for the Australian government to manage the flow of applications and ensure that those most likely to succeed are processed first.
MD111 establishes two priority levels: Priority 1 (High) and Priority 2 (Standard). Your application's priority level depends on several factors. Primarily the higher education provider or Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider you choose, and their proximity to a "prioritisation threshold." This threshold is based on the provider's allocated number of new overseas student commencements.
Priority 1 (High) will apply to:
Institutions that have not yet reached their prioritisation threshold (80% of their yearly allocated number of new overseas student commencements)
Students applying to the Schools sector
Students applying to the Higher Degree by Research sector (postgraduate research)
Scholarship recipients
Technical and Further Education (TAFE) students
Students from the Pacific and Timor-Leste
Priority 2 (Standard) will apply to:
Institutions that have reached their 80% threshold
Subsequent applicants
Any other offshore student visa application
For most international students putting in their applications from outside of Australia, applying as early as possible to your top choice of universities is more important than ever. Let’s go through some of the ways you can maximise your chances of acing the student visa application process.
Step 1: choose the right education provider
With MD111 in place, your choice of institution or education provider might impact how quickly your student visa application is processed.
There’s no telling when any university may have crossed their prioritisation thresholds, although you can look up the year’s indicative allocations for new overseas student commencements on the official Study Australia website. From here, you could pick out select higher education institutions in Australia based on repute, desired study major or location.
This is where IDP’s free services come in handy. Book a physical session with an experienced overseas education consultant, to access more knowledge of Australian higher education providers and have a guide by your side. Besides matching your academic goals to the choice of institution, factors like program quality, location and ease of visa application may help you consider too.
Step 2: a stellar IELTS score is more crucial than ever
To maximise the new visa prioritisation system, your English proficiency requirement, which can be an IELTS Academic test score, remains a critical component of your Australian student visa application, and a way to stand out in a more competitive environment.
Different educational institutions and study programs have varying IELTS overall or individual score requirements. Aiming for an overall score above minimum can give your application an edge.
A higher score demonstrates your ability to understand and participate in academic discourse – a vital skill for students in higher education.
Step 3: crafting a compelling visa application
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement is a crucial part of your Australian student visa application process and requires you to demonstrate a genuine intention to study in Australia.
A well-prepared statement with evidence showcasing your academic goals, financial stability, and post-study plans is essential. You will need to answer questions on why they you’re pursuing a particular course of study in Australia and aside from fulfilling academic requirements, what you intend to pursue within Australia as an international student and after course completion. Your explanation should be specific and detailed – generic or vague statements such as “I wish to study overseas” will not meet the GS requirement.
When preparing your visa application, be meticulous. Be sure to gather all the necessary documents before beginning your application including your academic transcripts, financial statements, and your IELTS Test Report Form (TRF). Check every field, documentation and ensure all information is consistent and accurate.
Incomplete applications with missing documents or incorrect information can drag out visa processing time, and may lead to rejection.
Step 4: seek out IDP to help achieve your Australian dream
IDP is more than just an overseas education placement service; but also your personal guide journeying with you towards your Australian dream. You can find out the intricacies of the Australian student visa process by meeting one of our IDP study abroad counsellors.
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