Extension of streamlined visa processing arrangements
Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) was first implemented by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) on 24 March 2012.
Under this arrangement low immigration risk education providers were given SVP status therefore if a student visa applicant had a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a participating provider, the application would be assessed quickly, as if the student were from an assessment level 1 country regardless of his/her country of birth.
Initially only available to Universities, on 22 March 2014 streamlined visa processing arrangements, were made available to prospective students of selected low immigration risk education providers who offer bachelor, masters or doctoral degree level courses.
On 26 May 2014 the government announced that it intends to further extend streamlined visa processing arrangements to low immigration risk education providers offering advanced diploma level courses.
'This will enable eligible education providers in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and higher education sector to directly access SVP. This will make study in Australia even more attractive to overseas students, while at the same time ensuring that immigration risk is appropriately managed,' Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said in his press release announcing the intended development.
Education Minister Chris Pyne said that "these changes will substantially benefit Australia's high-quality VET and higher education sectors, supporting the sustainable growth of Australia's international education industry while providing a vital boost to the economy."
'The number of international students seeking to study in Australia continues to rebound positively, with an increase of over 27 per cent in the number of visas granted to offshore applicants in the 2013-14 programme year,' Minister Pyne said.
'Extending SVP arrangements will help capitalise on these trends, reducing red tape and helping to attract further students from overseas.'
Invitations to participate will be sent to eligible providers in the second half of 2014. Subject to relevant legislative change, under the stewardship of the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, the government proposes to implement this extension by early 2015.
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