Are you an international Student Visa holder in Australia? If yes, then this piece of news is for you. Here’s the latest Australian visa news: international students in Australia will no longer able to change of courses without approval from the Minister.
According to NRI Affairs, the Australian government will be varying the rules for Australian student visa (subclass 500) holders, which is expected to come into effect from July 2022.
Quoting a descriptive declaration issued by the federal home minister, the portal said the regulation “additions a condition for Subclass 500 (Student) visa holders studying, or aiming to undertake, higher education studies that they must not adjustment their course of study, or study topic unless accepted by the Minister”.
A visa can also be cancelled if the Minister is pleased that there is an unreasonable risk of annoying transfer of serious technology by the visa holder.
The new visa settings — 8204A and 8204B — have been supplementary to student visa holders studying a higher schooling course or postgraduate research course and intend to change course of study, thesis or research topic.
International Student Visa holders can’t change their course for a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master’s degree, or Doctorate. It also includes any Bridging courses required for studies leading to a master’s degree or doctoral degree.
New Student Visa Rules 2022!
There’re several restrictions associated with a Student Visa 500 to study in Australia. If you hold a visa 500, some settings might apply to your visa.
These conditions include:
- 8104 – Work restriction: 40 hours a fortnight8105 – Work restriction
- 8201 – Maximum 3 months study
- 8202 – Meet course requirements
- 8203 – Limited study change
- 8204 – Study limitations
- 8303 – Not be disruptive
- 8501 – Maintain adequate health insurance
- 8516 – Continue to satisfy the criteria for the grant of the visa
- 8517 – Maintain adequate arrangements for the education of your school-age dependents
- 8518 – Maintain adequate arrangements for your education
- 8532 – Maintaining welfare arrangements for minors
- 8533 – Inform provider of address
- 8534 – No further stay
- 8535 – No further stay
Change courses: How will it affect my Australian student visa?
While the new rules will give the Minister power not to approve an international student’s decision to change courses in the public’s interest, Australian student visa holders can challenge the Minister’s decision, appealed the report.
The two new visa conditions only apply to student visas received after July 1, 2022. Applications received before this date will not be affected by the new ruling.
Students who are considering changing their course or research topic must complete Form 1221 and submit it to Adelaide.student.centre@homeaffairs.gov.au. More details can be found here.
