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Australian Student Visas: Assessment Levels

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Student Visa Assessment Levels

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) considers each Australian student visa application on its individual merits. Assessment Levels (ALs) streamline this process, allowing the department to deliver fast and efficient service to our clients while maintaining the integrity of Australia’s immigration program.

There are five Assessment Levels in the student visa program. They serve to align student visa requirements to the immigration risk posed by applicants from a particular country studying in a particular education sector.  Assessment Level 1 represents the lowest immigration risk and Assessment Level 5 the highest.

The higher the Assessment Level, the greater the evidence an applicant is required to demonstrate to support their claims for the grant of a student visa.

How are Asessment Levels decided?

Australian Student Visas are granted on the basis the student can meet the Assessment Level, which is decided by:

The assessment levels determine, in general, how likely a student will comply with the conditions of an Australian Student Visa.

Assessment level 1 represents the lowest assessment level and 5 the highest assessment level.

Where the higher the assessment level, the more evidence the student will have to provide on such things as English language and financial capacity.

What is my Assessment Level?

See the table below for current assessment levels for a number of key countries:

Assessment Levels

Below are the Assessment Levels for Australian student visa subclass form a number of countries:

Passport held:
Subclass 570 ELICOS
Subclass 571 Schools
Subclass 572 VET
Subclass 573 Higher Education
Subclass 574 Postgraduate Research
Subclass 575 Non Award
Subclass 576 AusAID/Defence*
Brazil
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
China**
3
4
4
4
3
3
2
India
4
2
4
4
4
3
2
Indonesia
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Japan
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Korea
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
Malaysia
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Nepal
3
2
4
3
2
3
2
Thailand
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
UK***
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
USA
1
1
1
1
1
1
2

Note: If you have an assessment level of 2, 3, 4 or 5, then you have to apply for your visa while you are outside Australia.

What should I do if my Assessment Level is not listed above?

If your Assessment Level is not listed above, you should consult Form 1219i from the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection.