The international education sector is one of Australia’s largest export industries. It also plays a role in supporting bilateral ties with key partner countries. The international education also supports employment in a broad range of occupations throughout the Australian economy, as well as delivering high-value skills to the economy. Australia is widely recognized for the delivery of high quality, internationally recognized qualifications by a diverse range of international education providers.
 Australia’s international education sector has undergone rapid growth over the past decade, with the number of Student Visas more than doubling from 108 000 in 1997-98 to 269 828 in 2009-10.
In December 2010, the government appointed the Hon Michael Knight AO to conduct the first strategic review of the student visa programme to help enhance the quality, integrity and competitiveness of the student visa programme. Mr. Knight reported to the government on 30 June 2011 with 41 recommendations.
Some of the important recommendations and changes that would interest Sri Lankan students are:
Streamlined visa processing: For Bachelor Degree, 2 plus 2 (or 3 plus 1) arrangements with partner universities and Masters Degree by coursework in universities. Reduced financial requirements for higher risk Assessment Level 3 and Assessment Level 4 student visa applicants: Students are only required to show 2 years of funds as apposed to 3 years which was the requirement before and funds should be held only for three consecutive months immediately before the date of your visa application.
Post Study Work Rights: All graduates of an Australian university Bachelor degree, who have spent at least two academic years studying a degree in Australia, Masters by Coursework degree and who have complied with their visa conditions, will receive two years work rights. Masters by Research graduates will receive three years post-study work rights and PhD graduates four years. This will apply irrespective of the nature of the course (for example whether it be Arts or Engineering) and not be tied to working in any particular occupation. Student part time work entitlements will be measured as 40 hours per fortnight instead of 20 hours per week. All Higher Degree by Research students will be given unlimited work rights while studying. Some of these changes will apply from early next year and early 2013.
Higher Degrees by Research: That all Higher Degree by Research students be treated as though they are all Assessment Level 1 (Assessment Level 1 represents the lowest immigration risk) applicants.
Reduced visa processing times: This is achieved through stopping DIAC’s Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA)
Simplifying and enhancing student visas: The government plans to grant student visas up to four months before the start of the course and regularly update the living cost component of student visa financial requirements. These changes will be progressively introduced from late 2011.
Overseas student Centre (OSC) is always in the forefront for advising its valuable clientele & partners on different study options, entry requirements & scholarships available in top universities & colleges in Australia, UK, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Malaysia & Singapore and also guide them on the latest requirements to achieve a 100% success rate in UK, Aus, Canadian & NZ student visa submissions in partnership with Australian Migration Center (AMC).The core business of The Australian Migration Centre (AMC) is facilitating migration, specializing in Australian PR migration services thereby assisting a vast number of families to successfully relocate to Australia on various types of visas.
For more information please visit Overseas Student Centre -5/6, Railway Avenue, Nugegoda or call on 0771 051 882 / 0773 424 385/0773 424 386 or log on to
www.overseasstudentcentre.org.
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