From 1 January 2011, changes will come into effect that will impact on prospective students intending to study for a higher education diploma or advanced diploma. From this date, these prospective students can be assessed for a Higher Education (subclass 573) visa.
Prior to 1 January 2011, students applying for a diploma or advance diploma were assessed for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) (subclass 572) visa, as diplomas and advanced diplomas were not specified in relation to the Higher Education (subclass 573) visa.
The legislative instrument detailing Why the department has introduced this change
The reason for this change is to align migration legislation with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). The AQF and CRICOS specify higher education diplomas and higher education advanced diplomas as separate and distinct from VET diplomas and VET advanced diplomas.
Who will be affected?
This change will affect all new student visa applications lodged on or after 1 January 2011.
This change will not affect:
?
students who currently hold a VET (subclass 572) visa, and are studying a higher education diploma or higher education advanced diploma course
?
students who are currently in the middle of studying a package of courses which includes a higher education diploma or higher education advanced diploma.
Other changes on 1 January 2011
Three course names which are obsolete have been removed from the courses specified in relation to the VET (subclass 572) visa. These are:
?
certificate
?
advanced certificate
?
associate diploma.
Useful Information
Specific information on applying for a Student visa is available. See: http://www.immi.gov.au/students
If you are in Australia Telephone: 131 881.
If you are outside Australia, contact your nearest departmental office. See: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseasinformation is available on the ComLaw website. See: www.comlaw.gov.au
Prior to 1 January 2011, students applying for a diploma or advance diploma were assessed for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) (subclass 572) visa, as diplomas and advanced diplomas were not specified in relation to the Higher Education (subclass 573) visa.
The legislative instrument detailing Why the department has introduced this change
The reason for this change is to align migration legislation with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). The AQF and CRICOS specify higher education diplomas and higher education advanced diplomas as separate and distinct from VET diplomas and VET advanced diplomas.
Who will be affected?
This change will affect all new student visa applications lodged on or after 1 January 2011.
This change will not affect:
?
students who currently hold a VET (subclass 572) visa, and are studying a higher education diploma or higher education advanced diploma course
?
students who are currently in the middle of studying a package of courses which includes a higher education diploma or higher education advanced diploma.
Other changes on 1 January 2011
Three course names which are obsolete have been removed from the courses specified in relation to the VET (subclass 572) visa. These are:
?
certificate
?
advanced certificate
?
associate diploma.
Useful Information
Specific information on applying for a Student visa is available. See: http://www.immi.gov.au/students
If you are in Australia Telephone: 131 881.
If you are outside Australia, contact your nearest departmental office. See: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseasinformation is available on the ComLaw website. See: www.comlaw.gov.au