You may remember from our initial report back in September that enrollment of international students in Australia were dropping. The most staggering statistic was that international students from India, making up 20% of the total number of international students, dropped by over half compared to the year before.
As of April 2nd, the Australian government will require less documentation from international students applying for their student visa for 38 countries – including in India. The student visa gives students the opportunity to temporarily study in Australia. The government is now reaching out to students, families, agents and educational providers with the hope that these changes will increase the number of international students in Australia.
With this ease in student visa requirements for Australia, fewer documents are required and visa processing should be both easier and faster. Students will now be able to present less evidence of English proficiency, academic qualifications, and financial capability depending on their country of origin.
While the government is eager to stress that this will not change the permanent resident application process, students should know that studying in Australia should be a much easier process. Currently, the top sending countries of international students in Australia include India (80,450 students between 2009-2010), China (80,010 students between 2009-2010), and South Korea (21,720 students between 2009-2010). Two of the top three countries, both India and China, are included on the list of countries that this new mandate will apply to.
Category: Country Insurance Requirements, Insurance Explained, International Student Health Insurance, Study Abroad
Tags: Australia Student Visa Requirements Eased, International students in australia, Student visa requirements in Australia
