Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) arrangements will be extended to 55 new education providers following the implementation of a legislative instrument by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
The new Legislative Instrument (IMMI 14/075), which includes changes to the list of eligible education providers, is set to commence from 23 November 2014.
Under the new SVP guidelines, international students studying with an approved low-risk provider will be assessed against Assessment Level 1 criteria, even if they are from a country classified as an Assessment Level 3.
Effectively, students attending an SVP-eligible education provider won’t have to provide as much evidence of their intention to study as what what was previously required.
The instrument will also allow streamlined processing rights to be extended to advanced diploma students studying in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector for the first time, with currently only universities and other educational degree-providers that offer a Bachelor, Masters or Doctorate courses eligible for the arrangement.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Education Minister Christopher Pyne announced the extension earlier this year, stating that the simplified processing arrangement would help increase Australia’s attractiveness as a destination for international students without compromising on program integrity.
The extension is expected to benefit Australia’s higher education and VET sectors, as well as providing a welcome boost to the national economy.
The updated list of eligible SVP education providers can be seen here.
Not sure what this news might mean for your visa application? Contact one of our registered migration agents to find out more information.
