New Prioritization for Offshore Student Visa Processing under Ministerial Direction 111

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EDUCAST, The Australian Government continues its efforts to ensure the quality, integrity, and sustainability of its international education sector. While the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 has not yet passed Parliament, the Government remains committed to managing the sector effectively through new measures.

From December 19, 2024, Ministerial Direction 111 replaces Ministerial Direction 107, introducing a prioritization process for offshore student visa applications. This initiative, informed by extensive consultation with the international education sector, aims to allocate visa processing resources more equitably.

Key Prioritization Changes:

• Priority 1 – High Processing: Offshore student visa applications linked to providers who have used up to 80% of their 2025 indicative allocation of New Overseas Student Commencements (NOSCs) in sectors such as Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET).
• Priority 2 – Standard Processing: Applications linked to providers exceeding the prioritization threshold or other student visa applications.

The NOSC refers to international students who commence their first non-exempt course in Australia. Notably, students in categories like research programs, standalone ELICOS courses, or those on scholarships will not count as part of a provider’s indicative allocation.

Providers can track their NOSC allocations through the PRISMS system by accessing the “NOSC Identification Export Report,” which provides detailed insights into their allocated and utilized NOSCs for 2025.

The Government’s ongoing reforms aim to enhance transparency and maintain sustainable levels of growth in the international education sector, ensuring Australia remains a top destination for global learners.