Student Visas to Australia: Assessment levels changed
Prospective students from several countries including Sri Lanka will
be required submit extra evidence supporting their application to obtain
a student visa to Australia from September 1, the Australian Visa Bureau
announced.
During 2007-08, more than 278,000 student visas to Australia were
granted, which represents a 21% growth over the previous year. To
streamline the visa application process, the Government uses Assessment
Levels (ALs) as a measurement of "immigration risk".
Assessment levels apply to all applicants based on the country that
the student is from, web based news sources reported quoting Australian
immigration authorities.
There are 5 assessment levels in the Australian student visa program,
with 1 being the lowest risk countries and 5 being the highest.
Applicants in higher risk levels will need to provide more evidence than
applicants in lower risk levels.
The changes in legislation will affect all applications lodged on or
after the 1st of September 2008. Applications lodged prior to September
will be required to show evidence in accordance with the assessment
levels. |