On Friday, the Department of Home Affairs released a provider update that indicated the Genuine Student Requirement would be implemented on or after 23 March 2024. The short timeframe is causing concern across the sector.
According to the update, the three key points are:
- The GS requirement is planned to commence for Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.
- Student visa applications lodged before 23 March 2024 will be assessed according to existing arrangements.
- The GTE requirement will be retained for Student Guardian visa applicants.
The changes include:
The 300 word statement in the Student visa application form will be replaced with targeted questions. These questions will provide visa decision makers with an overview of the applicant and their reasons for wanting to study in Australia, to contextualise the documentary evidence applicants must provide in support of their application.
The intended questions will cover:
details of their current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances;
- an explanation for the choice of course and reasons for choosing Australia as a study destination;
- what benefits the course provides to the applicant;
- for applicants with a study history in Australia, details of their study history;
- for applicants holding a visa other than a Student visa, their reasons for applying for a Student visa; and
- any other relevant information the applicant wishes to provide.
The Student visa declaration will be amended to require applicants to confirm that they:
understand what it means to be a genuine student for the purposes of studying in Australia;
- have read, understand and commit to comply with student visa conditions and to notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to their circumstances; and
- understand that while post-study pathways to permanent migration are available, only a limited number of graduates will be eligible and those who are unable to remain lawfully in Australia must depart Australia.
The update indicated “When the change happens, Ministerial Direction No. 69 will be revoked and replaced by two new ministerial directions, which will reflect the intention for the GS requirement to apply after the intended commencement date of 23 March 2024; and then to ensure that applications onhand, and not yet decided, before the commencement date of 23 March 2024 have the GTE assessment applied to those cases.”
The Koala, along with the rest of the sector, waits for these directions.
In the meantime, it is the short lead time that appears to be front and centre in the thinking of key sector individuals and representatives.
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia says “On the one hand, the Department at least sort stakeholder input via a special working group. On the other hand, the implementation date of 23 March, 2024 is causing a lot of concern for providers and education agents. The sector has anticipated a much greater lead time and is concerned this imminent implementation date will lead to students not understanding the new system and will potentially lead to applications being compromised. Education providers are now going to have to quickly adjust their systems and processes with regards to application screening to ensure students meet this sudden new timeline.”
Robert Parsonson from the International Student Education Association of Australia has indicated he has received significant feedback from his membership. These comments include:
“The fact is that nothing is in the actual law yet. And ‘more info will be placed on website’ closer to 23rd which is this Sat – is not law either. So it’s still a case of watch this space.”
“The same as GTE BUT with additional focus on “REAL” value of the course and its skill level to the student and his/her academic and professional history. So essentially more work and very client focused.”
“So far, it seems to be the same thing as the GTE, just a different way of presenting the arguments. And I believe we would have and should, in many cases, include an explanatory letter for context beyond answering the questions in the application itself.”
“We are waiting on more direction from DHA on the Ministerial Directions – despite reassurances that there would be assistance from DHA to navigate the transition the industry gets a ‘heads up’ but no real substance yet. Everything is now on hold…”
Ravi Lochan Singh, CEO of Global Reach education agency, a major agent supporting students from the sub-continent, is less concerned about the short implementation but says, “In my opinion, It is very similar to GTE that was there except for two questions. The questions being: for applicants with a study history in Australia, details of their study history; and for applicants holding a visa other than a Student visa, their reasons for applying for a Student visa. They are obviously targeting onshore movements but am not sure if GTE criterion is actually getting replaced by simply saying so.”
“However abolishing the requirement of SOP (statement of purpose) is a significant change. Now the directed questions will figure in the application form and this is good. The questions may still need to be well answered. The ministerial direction once issued will have more details.”
The update can be downloaded here.
