Australia Student Visa Risk Ratings Eased Amid Growing Calls to Scrap System

The Australian Government has adjusted the evidence-level (risk rating) framework used under its student visa regime, responding to pressure from education providers and stakeholders calling for the system’s dismantlement. The revised ratings take effect for visa applications lodged from 30 September 2025, according to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

The move comes as many observers argue that the risk rating system is opaque, inconsistently applied, and increasingly redundant, particularly as Australia continues to expand its international student intake.

What are Evidence Levels for Australian Universities?

Under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), each education provider and country is assigned an evidence level ranging from 1 (low risk) to 3 (high risk). The evidence level Australia model was designed to streamline visa assessments and ensure integrity by identifying sources of higher non-compliance.

When both a provider and a student’s home country are Level 1, the visa process is simplified. However, higher levels mean students must submit extensive financial and language documentation, which can slow approvals and increase rejection rates.

This system, first introduced in 2016 and temporarily paused during the pandemic, has now been fully reinstated, though many argue it is outdated in the context of modern international education.

Recent Changes to the Australia Student Visa Risk Rating

The DHA recently updated its risk classifications based on recent visa outcomes, asylum claims, and breach histories. Some of the most notable changes include:

• India and Vietnam are moving up from Level 3 to Level 2, a major relief for thousands of applicants from these countries.
  
  
• China is being downgraded from Level 1 to Level 2 due to an increase in post-study asylum applications.
  
  
• Dozens of Australian education providers are being reclassified to lower risk levels, reflecting improved compliance and oversight.
  
  

These adjustments mean that thousands of students will now face fewer documentation requirements and faster visa processing times. This step experts say will make Australia more competitive in the global education market.

Why Stakeholders Want to Scrap the System

Despite the easing of risk ratings, many education leaders are calling for the Australian evidence level system to be abolished entirely. Critics argue that it:

• Lacks transparency - the DHA does not publicly disclose how evidence levels are calculated.
  
  
• Penalises certain student nationalities unfairly.
  
  
• Has become redundant now that most universities have achieved “low risk” status.
  
  

“The concept of risk made sense when oversight was weaker. Today, it’s a relic of an older system,” said Mike Ferguson, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Charles Sturt University and a former immigration official.

Stakeholders suggest replacing it with a case-by-case visa integrity model based on genuine temporary entrant (GTE) checks, financial capacity, and institutional track record rather than broad national risk scores.

Broader Context: Australia’s International Education Strategy

The evidence-level changes arrive shortly after the government announced it would increase the cap on international student places from 270,000 to 295,000 for 2026. 

Australia is clearly trying to strike a balance between integrity in student visa processes and expanding access to international students, a key economic and cultural driver.

Mike Ferguson noted that the original purpose of the risk-based system was to streamline English and financial requirements, given stronger institutional oversight (TEQSA, ASQA) and the GTE requirement. But now, he argues, the evolving context demands rethinking that framework.

As international student numbers rise, the focus is shifting toward sustainable enrolment growth, preventing “course hopping,” and ensuring that student visa holders genuinely pursue their declared programs.

What It Means for Students and Providers

• Simpler visa processes for students from upgraded countries like India and Vietnam.
  
  
• Lower risk ratings for many institutions mean faster turnaround times and fewer refusals.
  
  
• Uncertainty remains for students from downgraded countries, including China.
  
  
• Potential for further reform as pressure mounts to scrap risk levels in Australia's student visa policy.
  
  

For now, the latest reforms are being viewed as a transitional phase, easing short-term burdens while Australia works toward a more transparent, equitable, and data-driven student visa system.