Introduction of Ministerial Direction 111 for Offshore Student Visas Ministerial Direction 107, aimed at reducing student visa applications but criticized by the education industry, has been replaced with Ministerial Direction 111 effective December 19th, 2024. This new directive applies to all pending and future offshore student visa applications from that date onward. It introduces two priority levels: Priority One ensures faster processing for students applying through providers who have not met their allocated enrollment threshold (80% of indicative allocation), as well as certain categories like scholarship recipients or research degree applicants. Once a provider reaches this threshold, subsequent visas fall under slower Priority Two processing.
Implications and Recommendations for International Students in Australia The government aims to manage international migration numbers while ensuring fairness among educational institutions using these thresholds without enforcing strict caps on enrollments. To benefit from faster processing times under the new system in place for 2025 admissions, students are advised to apply early before providers hit their limits and ensure complete documentation submission during application processes. Staying informed about timelines and maintaining communication with chosen education providers regarding enrollment statuses is crucial amidst potential delays or changes.