Student Visa

Australia’s migration settings continue to evolve, with updates to the review of student visa refusals by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and what it means in practice. QUICK SUMMARY Most student visa refusals will now be decided without an oral hearing The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) will make decisions “on the papers” only Written submissions and supporting documents are now more important than ever Applicants may have less opportunity to clarify misunderstandings Strong, complete appeals should be prepared from the start ART Student Visa Appeals: Decisions “On the Papers” New amendments allow the Administrative Review Tribunal to make decisions without holding an oral hearing in certain cases of temporary visa refusals. The Government has indicated that student visa refusals will be the first category where this approach will apply. This means almost all student visa appeals will now be decided “on the papers,” which means based solely on the written documents and any legal submissions provided. What does “on the papers” mean? Previously, many applicants had the opportunity to: Attend an oral hearing Explain their circumstances directly Clarify inconsistencies Provide additional context verbally Under the new approach, the Tribunal may: Review written submissions only Assess supporting documents Decide without meeting the applicant The stated aim of this change is to speed up processing and help manage the growing caseload. What this means for refused student visa applicants Previously, applicants always had the opportunity to attend a hearing, explain their circumstances verbally, and clarify any misunderstandings. With decisions now potentially being made “on the papers”, this opportunity will no longer be available. It is only for some unusual or complex cases wherey a Tribunal Member may decide to schedule an in-person or video Hearing.  This means: Your written submissions must clearly address the refusal reasons Supporting documents need to be complete and well organised Any inconsistencies should be explained upfront New information should be included early, rather than relying on a later hearing If key details are missing or unclear when a Member is making a decsion, you will not have another chance to clarify them. As a result, refused student visa applicants should focus on preparing thorough, well-structured submissions from the start, ensuring the Tribunal has all the relevant information needed to make a decision. READ MORE HOW SUPERIOR MIGRATION CONSULTANCY CAN HELP With student visa appeals now being decided on the papers in almost all cases, preparing a strong submission from the start is crucial. Superior Migration Consultancy can assist by ensuring your review application is clear, complete, and strategically structured. We can help by: Reviewing your refusal decision in detail Identifying the key issues raised by the Department Preparing strong written submissions addressing each concern Organising and presenting supporting documents clearly Highlighting relevant personal, academic, and financial factors Ensuring all information is provided on time Our focus is to make sure your appeal is well prepared from the beginning, especially because there will be limited opportunity to clarify misunderstandings later in the process. If you have received a student visa refusal, early preparation can make a significant difference. CONTACT US FOR A CONSULTATION

From August 7, 2025, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has introduced major updates to the approved English language tests and score requirements for Australian visas. The changes affect which tests are accepted, the scores you’ll need, and how long results remain valid. Here’s everything you need to know. QUICK SUMMARY Here is a quick summary of all the changes Newly accepted tests (from 7 Aug 2025): CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic, and Michigan English Test (MET) join the accepted list Score tables updated: Minimum scores for each English level (Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient, Superior) have been revised across tests. Validity & transition: Results from tests taken on or before 6 Aug 2025 can still be used within their normal validity windows Minimum score benchmarks for the Student (500), Temporary Graduate (485) and Skills in Demand (482) visas (covered in the second blog) READ MORE ACCEPTED TESTS Three additional English language tests are now recognised for Australian visa applications, and join the existing list of accepted providers: CELPIP General LanguageCert Academic Michigan English Test (MET) Already approved providers include: TOEFL iBT PTE IELTS OET Cambridge English: Advanced(C1 Advanced) MINIMUM ENGLISH TEST REQUIREMENTS AUSTRALIA Functional English To meet the Functional English requirement, you can either provide the minimum test scores listed below or show that you’re a citizen of — and hold a valid passport from — one of the following countries (attach a copy with your application): Canada New Zealand Republic of Ireland The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United States of America Note: British National (Overseas) passports are not accepted as evidence of Functional English. Test Minimum Test Scores Required before 7 August 2025 Minimum Test Scores Required on or after 7 August 2025 IELTS Overall score of 4.5 Average score of 4.5 PTE Academic Overall score of 30 Overall score of 24 OET N/A Overall score of 1020 TOEFL iBT Total score of 32 Total score of 26 Cambridge C1 Advanced Total score of 147 N/A CELPIP N/A Overall score of 5 MET N/A Overall score of 38 LanguageCert Academic N/A Overall score of 38 Exemptions You are exempted from proving Vocational & Competent English if you can show that you’re a citizen of — and hold a valid passport from — one of the following countries (attach a copy with your application): United Kingdom the United States of America Canada New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland. Note: British National (Overseas) passports are not accepted as evidence of Vocational English. TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT/WHAT TO CHECK Before you apply, double-check: Which test you took, and whether it’s accepted after 7 Aug 2025 When you took the test For tests taken before 7 Aug 2025: May still be valid if used within applicable timeframes (generally up to 3 years, depending on the type of visa you are applying for).  For tests taken on/after 7 Aug 2025: Use the new test list. Your target English level (Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient or Superior) for your visa pathway. CONTACT US STUDENT VISA (SUBCLASS 500): Updated English Requirements Australia The Department has also made changes to the English Language Requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visas. Below are the new minimum overall scores required to apply for a Student visa. Test Minimum Test Scores Required before 7 August 2025 Minimum Test Scores Required on or after 7 August 2025 IELTS Academic 6.0 6.0 average band PTE Academic 50 47 overall TOEFL iBT 64 67 total OET A score of at least B in each component 1210 overall C1 Advanced 169 Overall band of 161 CELPIP General N/A 7 overall LanguageCert Academic N/A 61 overall MET N/A 53 overall Lower scores may be acceptable if the applicant is enrolled in 10–20 weeks of ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students). The scores required, in this case, are outlined as below: 10+ weeks ELICOS / Standard or Extended Foundation / eligible pathway: IELTS 5.5 / PTE 39 / TOEFL 51 / OET 1090 / CELPIP 6 / LanguageCert 54 / MET 49. 20+ weeks ELICOS: IELTS 5.0 / PTE 31 / TOEFL 37 / OET 1020 / CELPIP 5 / LanguageCert 46 / MET 44. GRADUATE VISA (SUBCLASS 485): Updated English Requirements Australia Higher English score requirements apply for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. Test Listening Reading Writing Speaking Overall/Total IELTS 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 6.5 average band TOEFL iBT 12 12 14 17 81 PTE Academic 40 42 41 39 55 OET 260 280 260 310 1310 LANGUAGECERT Academic 49 54 56 62 67 MET 53 51 51 43 58 CELPIP General 6 6 6 6 8 NEED ASSISTANCE? ​​If you’re unsure which English test to take, what score you need, or how the new dates apply to your case, our Registered Migration Agents can help. We’ll review your situation, confirm the right pathway, and map out next steps so your Student (Subclass 500) / Graduate (subclass 485) application is lodged correctly the first time. Reach out to our team to book a consultation today. CONTACT US Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and isn’t legal advice. Requirements can change and may vary by stream and personal circumstances. Contact us for personalised guidance before you apply.

As part of the Migration Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations, the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa officially replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa on 7 December 2024. Here’s everything you need to know Skills in Demand Visa The SID Visa provides a streamlined framework to address critical skill shortages in Australia. It enables employers to sponsor skilled individuals for roles where appropriately qualified Australian workers are unavailable. In addition to supporting employers, this temporary visa offers skilled migrants a clear and structured pathway to permanent residency. Here are some key benefits of the SID Visa Reduced Work Experience Requirement: Applicants need only 1 year of relevant work experience in their nominated occupation or a related field to be eligible for a SID visa,  compared to the 2-year requirement under the previous TSS Visa framework. 4-Year Stay: Most SID visa holders can remain in Australia for up to 4 years, allowing ample time to build their careers and apply for permanent residency. Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency: All pathways under the SID Visa lead directly to eligibility for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa, offering a path to permanent residency. Visa Pathways The SID Visa offers three distinct pathways: Specialist Skills Stream: Designed for high-income earners (AUD 135,000+ annually) working in skilled sectors under ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6, excluding roles classified in Major Groups 3, 7, or 8 (trades and machinery occupations). Learn more about the eligibility criteria for Specialist Skills Stream here Core Skills Stream: Designed for workers earning at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT), currently set at AUD 73,150 (indexed annually), and employed in occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). Learn more about the eligibility criteria for Core Skills Stream here Labour Agreement Stream: Designed for skilled workers nominated by employers with a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. This stream will be replaced by an Essential Skills stream (currently under development). Learn more about the eligibility criteria for the Labour Agreement Stream here. CHECK SUBCLASS 482 ELIGIBILITY How can I get Permanent Residency in Australia with the SID Visa? All Skills in Demand (SID) Visa holders will have a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186—Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream.  Subclass 186 – TRT allows skilled workers employed full-time for at least 2 years under a subclass 457 or TSS visa and nominated by an Australian employer to apply for permanent residency. To facilitate this pathway, applicants are provided with the following benefits. Reduced Work Experience Requirement: Applicants need only 2 years of work experience to qualify for the Subclass 186 – TRT visa, a reduction from the 3-year requirement under the previous TSS Visa framework. Flexibility in Work Experience: All periods of sponsored employment (i.e., periods of employment in a sponsored visa such as subclass 457 or 482)  under the SID Visa count toward the 2-year requirement, even if the applicant has worked for multiple employers during this time. For instance, if you worked under a subclass 482 visa for one year with Employer A and then switched to Employer B under a SID Visa, both periods of employment will count toward the 2-year requirement for your 186 visa application. CHECK SUBCLASS 186 ELIGIBILITY Transition to TSS Applications If your employer lodged a TSS nomination before the SID Visa came into effect on 7 December 2024, here’s how the transition works: Applications Lodged Before the Change: Any TSS nominations and visa applications submitted before 7 December 2024 will be processed under the requirements at the time of submission. Applications Lodged After the Change: If your employer has lodged a TSS nomination but you haven’t submitted your TSS visa application by this date, the newer provisions will apply. Approved nominations will automatically transition to SID nominations, enabling you to apply for the SID Visa instead. Understanding the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) Alongside introducing the new SID pathway, the Department has replaced the previous Skilled Occupation List with the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The CSOL is a consolidated list of 456 occupations that replaces the multiple skilled occupation lists previously used under the TSS visa framework. The CSOL applies exclusively to two visa pathways: The SID Core Skills Stream -Targeting workers earning above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Direct Entry Stream provides a pathway to permanent residency for highly skilled workers in these occupations. To be eligible for the above visas, applicants must have an occupation listed on the CSOL.  You can review the full Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) here. VIEW CSOL HERE What Does This Mean for You? The SID Visa provides a faster, more flexible pathway to achieving your career and residency goals in Australia. By reducing work experience requirements and offering clear, adaptable routes to permanent residency, it’s never been easier to take advantage of the visa opportunities available in Australia. Whether you’re an applicant or an employer looking to address skill shortages, the SID Visa simplifies the process while ensuring high standards. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn how you can benefit from the Skills in Demand Visa and secure your future in Australia! CONTACT US

​​​​To address workforce shortages, the Department temporarily removed the student visa work hours restrictions. This will end on 30 June 2023. Until 30 June 2023, all current and new students will be able to work full-time (more than 40 hours a fortnight) in any sector of the economy. ​After 30 June 2023, the number of hours a Student visa holder will be allowed to work will again be capped at 20 hours per week, to ensure that International students obtain a quality Australian education and qualification. If you need advice or have an urgent concern about your current Student visa or your work situation, please contact SMC for professional advice!