Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has announced that the new Genuine Student (GS) requirement will replace the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test from March 23rd, but industry stakeholders have criticised the short timeline to implementation.
Genuine Student implementation: In an update issued to providers on March 15th, the Department of Home Affairs said that the GS requirement will commence for student visa applications lodged on or after March 23rd, 2024.
Any applications lodged before March 23rd will be assessed according to existing arrangements and criteria, DHA said in its statement.
Background: The replacement of GTE with a new Genuine Student requirement was flagged in the release of Australia’s new Migration Strategy in December, which also introduced new English language requirements and prioritisation of visas based on provider level and risk.
In the early part of this year, education providers in Australia and agents worldwide have complained of high visa refusal rates, with some speculating that the government was applying new criteria without briefing the industry.
In its statement confirming the new Genuine Student arrangements, DHA said, “Through consultation and discussion with representatives of the education sector, the new GS requirement for international students will aim to identify students with circumstances that support a genuine intention to obtain a quality education in Australia, without reference or confusion to any future intention to migrate.”
Targeted questions: The former 300-word statement in student visa application forms will be replaced with targeted questions, which DHA said will “provide visa decision makers with an overview of the applicant and their reasons for wanting to study in Australia”.
Questions will cover: details of current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment and economic circumstances; an explanation for the choice of course and Australia as a destination; and what benefits the course provides.
Applicants will also be asked for details of any study history in Australia and the reasons for applying for a student visa if they already hold another visa.
Troy Williams, Chief Executive of the Independent Tertiary Education Council of Australia (ITECA) said in a statement sent to StudyTravel Magazine, “Of note is that the visa applicant will be required to state what benefits a course of study will provide them; something no domestic student is required to provide either in higher education or skills training.”
Ravi Lochan Singh, CEO of India-based agency Global Reach and a former President of the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI), said in a post on Linkedin that agents have been calling for an end to the statement, but questioned how different the new changes will be based on the DHA statement.
Declaration: The student visa declaration will be amended to require applicants to confirm that they understand what it means to be a “genuine student for the purposes of studying in Australia” and that they commit to complying with visa terms.
Students will also be asked to confirm that they understand post-study work opportunities are available, but that “only a limited number of graduates will be eligible and those who are unable to remain lawfully in Australia must depart Australia”.
When the new GS system is implemented, Ministerial Direction No. 69 – which guides decision making against GTE criteria – will be revoked and replaced by two new Ministerial Directions.
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