SIMPLIFIED STUDENT VISA FRAMEWORK (SSVF)

2) MANDATORY ONLINE LODGEMENT
Students/agents can obtain details about documentation and evidence that will need to be included with their student visa application by accessing an online tool which will be fully functional from 1 July 2016. This tool will be accessible at any stage before or after lodging the application.

3) ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students)
Under the SSVF, there is no limitation on the maximum duration of ELICOS study that may be undertaken. Genuine students can now undertake as much ELICOS study as either a standalone course or prior to their principal course, as required.

4) ONSHORE APPLICATIONS
Irrespective of their country’s immigration risk (or assessment level), applicant can be onshore at the time of Visa lodgement. For example, if you are here on a visitor visa (subclass 600), you can apply to study in a school and subsequently also lodge a student visa application onshore. An exception to this rule is sponsored visitor visa.

5) CONFIRMATION OF ENROLLMENT
Offshore students (Out of Australia): Will need to have an ECoE before lodging a student visa application.

Onshore Students (in Australia): Can apply for a student visa with a Letter of Offer at the time of lodgement and submit the ECoE later. However ECoE must be provided before the visa decision is made. This is similar to how health insurance (and other less urgent documents) can be provided at later stage, after applying for the visa.

6) COURSE TRANSFER
Under the SSVF regulation, students must maintain their level of study. Changing the course to a lower level is not allowed, however changing it to a higher level is allowed. For example, a student can not change his/her degree from Bachelor to diploma, but he/she can change from Diploma to Bachelor. Students who wish to change to a lower level course must apply for (and be granted) a new student visa before they change their course.

7) FAMILY UNIT MEMBERS
All Family unit members must be declared on the initial student visa application, even if they are not accompanying the student, or do not intend to do so even at a later stage.Members who are not declared won’t be eligible for the grant of a visa at a later stage. An exception applies to those who became a family member after the primary applicant (student) was granted a visa.

8) PROCESSING TIMES
The department aims to finalize 75% of complete student visa applications within 1 month of lodgement.

9) KEY REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory requirements: (Same as before)

1. Genuine Temporary Entrant
2. ECoE (Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment)
3. Welfare arrangements (if applicable)
4. Overseas Student Health Insurance.
5. Financial Proof.
6. Proof of English proficiency.

2 types of Evidentiary requirements:

Streamlined Evidentiary requirements:
Only the documents mentioned above are required. Some requirements like financial proof etc, can be met by simply putting in a “declaration” instead of documents to prove your claim.
(Basically- YOU CAN SUBMIT JUST A DECLARATION)

Regular Evidentiary requirements:
Additional documents like birth certificate, national id card, payslips, bank statements etc. can be asked for. These documents are required to back the claims like you meet the financial requirement etc. and need to be proved by supplying certified documents.
(Basically- YOU WILL NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF FUNDS/ other requirements)