Ministerial Direction 107 (MD107), implemented in December 2023, outlines new processing priorities for Australian student visas, aimed at ensuring efficiency, integrity, and fairness in managing international student enrollments. Here are the key aspects of MD107 as of February 2024:
1. Risk-Based Categorization of Education Providers
Education providers are categorized into three risk levels based on compliance and visa outcomes:
- Level 1 (Low Risk): Includes universities and public institutions with strong compliance records. Students applying to these providers benefit from faster visa processing and fewer documentation requirements.
- Level 2 (Medium Risk): Applies to smaller public or private institutions with mixed compliance histories. Students face additional requirements, such as academic and financial proof, leading to longer processing times.
- Level 3 (High Risk): Targets private colleges with higher visa fraud rates or poor compliance. Applications from these providers are subjected to stricter scrutiny, often resulting in delays or rejections.
2. Priority Applicants
MD107 grants priority to specific categories of applicants:
- Students applying to higher education, postgraduate research, or courses in the schools and vocational training sectors through low-risk providers.
- Secondary applicants (family members) are processed with the same priority as primary applicants.
- Student Guardian visa applications are also given significant priority.
3. Processing Rules
- Applications are prioritized based on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level of the applicant’s principal course of study.
- The direction applies to visa applications lodged on or after December 15, 2023, as well as pending applications filed earlier.
4. Strategic Goals
The direction seeks to:
- Strengthen compliance by focusing resources on reliable providers.
- Regulate international student enrollments in the absence of the ESOS (Education Services for Overseas Students) Amendment Bill.
- Enhance Australia’s appeal as a leading study destination by expediting low-risk applications
Update: This instrument has been replaced by Ministerial Direction 111 and it no more applies to your applications.