Visa innovation: supporting international education and enhancing integrity. Today the Department of Immigration and Border Protection introduced a simplified student visa framework (SSVF). The main changes under the SSVF include: a single student visa (subclass 500) for all students, regardless of their course of study the global roll out of online visa lodgement to all international students a new targeted approach to managing immigration integrity. The existing eight Student visa subclasses are being reduced to two—the Student visa (Subclass 500) and the Student Guardian visa (Subclass 590). Online visa lodgement will also make the application process simpler for students and education agents, while creating efficiencies in processing. Importantly, the SSVF will also enhance integrity by delivering a more targeted approach to risk management. All students are subject to the same core visa requirements such as being a Genuine Temporary Entrant and meeting health and character criteria. Under the SSVF, a combined country and education provider risk framework guides a student’s evidentiary requirements. ‘The Department needs to be satisfied that students are genuine and they and their accompanying family members can support their study and living expenses while in Australia,’ said David Wilden, First Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Citizenship Policy Division. Students can use the online tool to determine evidentiary requirements Students can use the online tool to determine evidentiary requirements Students can enter where they’re from and where they’re intending to study using an online tool on the Department’s website. Results will be used to help a student determine their likely financial or English language evidentiary requirements and guide them through the online application process,’ Mr Wilden said. The move to more digital services will not only benefit students, but combined with other changes in the programme will result in expected red tape savings of $24.1m per year and reduce student visa regulations from 145 pages to eight. No more forms! Students can now lodge visa applications online No more forms! Students can now lodge visa applications online The SSVF will support the sustainable growth of Australia’s international education sector by making the process of applying for a Student visa simpler to navigate for genuine students, reducing red tape for business and delivering a more targeted approach to immigration integrity.

New Skilled Occupation List from 1 July 2016 On 1 July 2016, a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) will commence with a small number of changes to the occupations compared to the previous list. The SOL identifies occupations that would benefit from skilled migration in order to meet the medium to long-term skill needs of the Australian economy. The SOL review The SOL is reviewed annually to ensure it remains responsive to the needs of the Australian labour market. This year the Department of Education and Training was responsible for the review, considering Australia’s current, emerging and future workforce skills and development needs. Flagged occupations As part of the annual SOL review, there are a number of occupations which are ‘flagged’ for possible removal in the future. Generally, occupations are flagged when there is emerging evidence of excess supply in the labour market. For the 2016–17 SOL, 51 occupations have been flagged. If your occupation has been removed from the 2016–17 SOL Requirements for permanent skilled migration will change from time to time and there is no particular course of study that will guarantee a permanent visa. If you are a student in Australia, you are encouraged not to make educational choices solely on the basis of hoping to achieve a particular migration outcome because the skilled migration programme will continue to change and adapt to Australia’s economic needs. Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL) The review of the SOL has not impacted the composition of the Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL). Occupations currently listed on the CSOL will continue to be listed from 1 July 2016. For more information see Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL). Interested in applying for a visa? If you are interested in applying for an Independent Skilled visa (subclass 189), a Family Sponsored Points Tested visa (subclass 489) or a Temporary Graduate (Graduate Work stream) visa (subclass 485) on or after 1 July, then you need to make sure your occupation is listed on the new SOL.