1. Study in Australia - New Laws of Australian Student Visa
If you’re aspiring to make an application to Study in Australia, you need to be cautious
regarding certain amendments introduced by the Australian Government in 2012. These
Australian policies are in the favor of international students.
Formerly in the year, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) made the below
mentioned amendments:
Post-study visa plans were introduced by DIAC, where graduates of bachelor, masters
and PhDs shall be permitted to work in Australia for four years after graduation.
Instead of just IELTS, Australian student visa applicants are now permitted to put
forward results from the examination of English as a Foreign Language internet-based
test (TOEFL iBT), the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic and the Cambridge
English: Advanced (CAE) test.
DIAC allowed prepaid home stay fees to be incorporated in the financial requirements
assessment.
Extension was granted to the PhD students staying in Australia until the completion of
the research work and it’s marking.
The pre-visa assessment (PVA) policy is now discontinued for student visa applicants
from Assessment Levels 3 and 4 (enrollment in a bachelor degree or higher
qualification).
The evaluation levels have been lowered significantly, for applicants from a number of
countries.
These changes will have the following effect:
Visa costs
The visa application charge of AUD$535 now is applicable to most visa applications (previously
AUD$565) and the same is non- refundable. No fee is applicable for students who are sponsored
under Common Wealth Programs, secondary school exchange students or students affected by

2. the closure of their education provider. To know if you come in this category, visit an
Australian Visa agent.
Visa processing for higher education students
Student visa applicants who file their applications with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from
a participating university in Australia at bachelor, masters or doctoral degree level will be
assessed as though they are a lower migration risk (similar to the current Assessment Level 1),
despite of their country of origin.
Permission to work
Students who were given Student Visa on or after 26 April 2008 have automatic work rights —
included in the $535 visa application charge. If, though, you were granted a student visa before
this date and if you wish to apply for work rights, then this will attract a fee of $75.
Employment restrictions
Before March 2012, global students were allowed to work up to utmost 20 hours per week. The
same has been altered to a more flexible 40 hours every 15 days, wherein a student can work 15
hours in a week and 25 hours the coming week, rather than following 20 hours per week
stringently. Students may work unlimited hours during semester breaks. Work limits are not
applicable to students carrying out a masters or doctoral degree.
For better clarity and more details, visit the nearest Foreign Education Consultant.