First

The first one is that offshore student Visa applications are now allowed. Before this announcement, there was a confusion whether or not student applicants who are still outside Australia can lodge their student Visa applications. Now it has been made clear that the Department of Home Affairs will process and decide whether to grant or refuse student visa application lodged offshore, and if the decision is for the grant of the student visa, then they can come to Australia once the borders are open.  As we know it is still uncertain when the exact date is for the opening of the border.

Second

As the result of the corona virus known as COVID 19, and the consequential pandemic, some student visa holders will be unable to complete their studies within the original visa validity. Migration Legislation (LIN 20/058) specifies an additional class of persons applying for a student visa to whom there will be no Visa Application Charge. This will apply to Student Visa Holders whose held the visa on or after 1 February and are seeking to reapply for further subclass 500 visa to complete their studies, if they were unable to complete their course within their original visa validity due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  

Third

The third change applies to student Visa holders studying post study courses such as Bachelor or Masters level. These students were already on their student visas, went overseas before the borders were closed and cannot return to Australia to finish their studies. The duration of their online studies conducted outside Australia can now be used for purposes of counting the number of weeks to comply with Australian study requirement. Before pandemic, this is not allowed.  This is important for purposes of the Temporary Graduate Visa application, subclass 485 under the post study stream. This visa is intended for International Student graduates to gain work experience, improve their English language and enroll for professional year.

Fourth

The fourth change is related to International Students studying Bachelor’s or Masters who cannot return to Australia to finish their studies due to the closure of the borders.  The visa application for the Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485 under the post study stream can be lodged even if the applicant is outside Australia. So if the applicant cannot come to Australia because of the closure of the borders and their Student Visa is about to expire, they are now eligible to lodge temporary graduate 485 Visa under the post study stream even if they are outside Australia. Generally, this Visa they should be lodge onshore.

Fifth

The last one is that the Department of Home Affairs has given additional time for those who are required to provide English language test results because of the pandemic.  If you have lodged your Visa and have not yet taken an English test, you are not required to attach the English test results simultaneously with the lodgment of the Visa. The Department will accept a proof of booking and that will be enough.  As soon as you have the English test result, it should be attached to the application before they can make the decision.