On 16 June 2015 the Australian Government released the Future directions for streamlined visa processing report and announced the introduction of a simplified international student visa framework (SSVF) to support Australia’s education services sector.

The release of the report follows a period of extensive stakeholder consultation which included the release of a discussion paper to members of the Education Visa Consultative Committee and other key international education stakeholders. Thirty-two formal submissions were received in response to the discussion paper. 

Key changes under the SSVF are:

• a reduction in the number of student visa sub-classes from eight to two; and
• the introduction of a simplified single immigration risk framework for all international students.

A working group comprising peak bodies and relevant commonwealth and state government agencies has been established to support implementation of the eight recommendations from the report.

These changes will simplify the student visa framework, significantly reduce red tape, create a level playing field for all education providers and deliver a more targeted approach to immigration integrity.

Subject to the legislative change process, t​he Department intends to implement the review recommendations by mid-2016.