Australia relaxes student visa restrictions

Australia relaxes student visa restrictions

Students from Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan are no-longer categorized within the assessment level associated with high-risk visa applicants (Assessment Levels 4 and 5), which are scheduled to be abolished by January 2014 by the Australian Government.

Applicants from Sri Lanka will be categorized in Assessment Level 3. According to Barrister and Solicitor, Fairfields Lawyers Australia, Don Susantha Katugampala, this was disclosed by the Federal Education Minister Christopher Pine in his keynote address at the Australian Economic Education Conference recently. He firmly endorsed the Federal Government's commitment to reduce barriers to trade, enhance bi-lateral relations across the Asia-Pacific Region and develop comprehensive strategies to realize Australia's economic potential.

Following this address, broad reforms are in the process of being implemented, with the focus on enhancing opportunities for international students within Australia's higher education sector.

The Federal Immigration Minister Scott Morrison MP has further announced revolutionary changes to student visa rules complement these measures.

"This signals the end of indefinite delays in visa processing and the removal of restrictive financial conditions which previously discouraged many potential students from exploring higher education options in Australia," Katugampala said.

"Overall, the message is abundantly clear. This Government waste no time in taking action, and Australia is opening its doors for business. The proposed changes alone are expected to restore Australia's international student revenues to their pre-2011 peak of $ 19 billion, and offers a wide range of disciplines for international students who need only demonstrate access to sufficient funds covering 12 months of their combined expenses in Australia."

- See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/business/australia-relaxes-student-visa-restrictions#sthash.wrlTDJdb.dpuf