Risk Levels for Students and Institutions. What is it?

Is Your Country High Risk? How Australia’s New Risk Assessment Affects Your Visa Application!

Australia has recently updated its Student Visa Risk Framework to strengthen the integrity of its international education sector. Starting November 2024, the framework reclassifies countries and educational institutions based on perceived risk levels. The goal is to ensure that only genuine students, with strong financial resources and clear academic goals, are allowed to study in Australia. This update aligns with Australia’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards and supporting its economy. Here's a summary of the key changes and what they mean for you.

What Are the Risk Levels in Australia’s Student Visa System?

Australia’s Student Visa system classifies educational institutions and countries into three risk levels, ranging from 1 to 3. This system is part of the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), which aims to streamline the visa application process, making it easier for genuine students to apply while maintaining visa integrity.

How Do Risk Levels Work?

Under the SSVF, each educational provider and country is assigned an Evidence Level based on historical student visa outcomes. These levels dictate the documentation required for financial capacity and English proficiency during the visa application process:

• Evidence Level 1 (Low Risk): Applicants typically do not need to provide extra proof of financial capacity or English proficiency unless specifically requested. This level is usually associated with top-tier universities and institutions with strong track records.

• Evidence Level 2 (Moderate Risk): Applicants are required to submit additional documentation, including proof of financial capability and English language proficiency.

• Evidence Level 3 (High Risk): Applicants must provide extensive documentation, including detailed financial proof and higher English proficiency standards.

What Does This Mean for International Students?

These changes require international students to carefully choose their education provider based on its risk level, ensuring they meet the updated financial and English language requirements.

For prospective students, selecting a low-risk education provider is more important than ever. Applicants from Level 3 institutions or countries must ensure their documentation is thorough, particularly regarding financial and language evidence. The increased IELTS requirements highlight the importance of strong English skills for academic success, while the higher financial capacity expectations emphasize Australia’s requirement for students to independently fund their education and living expenses.

What are the new Levels for countries where Australia Study operates? Here is the list of countries that were updated.