New eligibility rules for Australia Student visa

The Australian government’s proposal to reduce the assessment levels of international students from India, Nepal and Pakistan was a welcome move. The Department of Home Affairs reduced the risk assessment of students from India, Nepal and Pakistan from level 2 to level 3. Under this rule students had to provide proof of English proficiency and financial capacity. But within a month it has made changes in the financial capacity requirements for students making it difficult for students to get visas.

Under this new rule, students from these countries are required to prove that they have enough funds to live in the country and meet the travel and course expenses.

According to the new rules, student visa applicants are expected to show that they can meet the annual living expenses of AUD 21,041 and the course fees to qualify for the visa.

Applicants with a spouse or de facto partner are expected to meet additional expenses of AUD 7,362 and for those with a dependent child, it will be AUD 3,152. If the applicant has a school-going child AUD 8,296 will be added to the expenses.

As for the minimum annual income, the student’s parents or spouse must provide financial proof that they have AUD 2,000 to sponsor a single applicant and AUD 72,592 to sponsor a secondary applicant.

These expenses have been fixed based on the consumer price index.

With India and Nepal being the second and third countries from where the maximum number of students come to Australia, accounting for more than 100000 enrolments last year. The new rules are expected to impact the numbers. There is also the concern that students from these countries will choose other study abroad destinations.

If you are looking to Study, Work in Australia, Visit, Invest or Immigrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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