#Ausgov commences student visa education campaign

Over a 12-month period, the Department’s website and social media platforms will be used to publish key messages to Student visa (subclass 500) holders, Facebook posts will begin next week. Messaging will be along the following lines:

  • Student visa holders must maintain enrolment in a registered course that is the same AQF level as, or higher than, the course for which they were granted their visa (condition 8202).
  • If a student changes to a course at a lower AQF level, even with the same education provider, they must apply for a new Student visa (with the exception of a student changing from a doctoral degree (AQF level 10) to a Masters degree (AQF level 9).
  • It is a student’s responsibility to check whether they need to apply for a new Student visa if considering changing courses.
  • A student will be in breach of their visa conditions if they change to a lower level AQF level course without applying for, and being granted, a new Student visa. This may result in their visa being considered for cancellation.

More info here https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/stud/more/changing-courses