Planning to join an Australian university and bag one of the top-notch lucrative jobs with sky rocketing pay! Here the first step namely, availing the Visa seems to have got simpler as the government is all ready for reforms in this sector. The Australian universities offer a great range of programs which not only impart a quality academic education but fill your life with valuable skills and enthusiasm leading to an internationally recognized and highly regarded career. Australia is as it has always been a popular destination for students from around the globe. The cost of living and education is generally affordable compared to other places like say U.K. It is undeniable that studying in Australia is the best way to launch one's career. There are many universities of international repute to choose from e.g Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide,. A new world of opportunity opens up for a student after a quality education in one of these universities.
Depending on the level of study to be undertaken Australian Student Visas are divided into various sub categories. That there exist different visas for different levels of education is implied by the fact that there are different subclasses assigned for each sub category. The first step of availing the Visa is held by many, not without reason though is the most tedious part of the program. Many experts opine that the Australian government's student visa policies did lead to the closing of many private colleges. India being Australia's second largest source of international students there has been a steep fall in enrollment of foreign students. The number of students starting studies in Australia is still far from the levels reached in 2009 even with a dramatic increase in the visa grant rate of over 70 percent in the last financial year. According to the statistics released by Department of Immigration, Indians, in 2008-09, accounted for 22 percent of all student visa applications lodged of which 20 percent were granted for it, this had reduced to 14 percent and 12 percent respectively in 2010-11.
To attract more students from India and China Australia's new government is all set to change its current stringent visa laws. The students' visa Assessment Level Framework (ALF) is likely to be streamlined. One of the recommendations by the Review of the Student Visa Assessment Level Framework 2013 is to relax the financial requirement for applying the student visa. If the funds were taken from a close relative of the student, then new rule that the assessment levels would be reduced from five to three, applies and that qualifies the students to be able to apply for a student visa with up to Rs.2.3 million less in the bank. The Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection released the AL review report which held that AL4 and AL5 be terminated. It would be of great benefit to Indian students who would be assessed at AL3 and the financial evidence will be required for 12 months instead of 24 months.