Australia has implemented the Fee Waiver for International Students w.e.f. 5th August 2020

The Department of Home Affairs, Australia has confirmed that it has implemented the fee waiver on the lodgement of new international student visa applications from 5 August 2020 (midnight-AEST).

This implementation is as per the announcement by the Aussie government in July 2020.

Last month, the government announced a bundle of changes to visa arrangements to make certain that Australia continues to be a leading study destination even after the pandemic.

Key Measures for International students

Waiver of fee is one of the five measures announced by the government. Speaking about the new change, present Immigration Minister, Mr. Alan Tudge said that the international students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free-of-charge, if they are not able to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to the recent pandemic.

The Australian government announced five key measures for international students last month, i.e.

• Government shall begin allowing student visas to new students offshore: It is advised that on reopening of borders, students will already have visas and hence, they will be in a position to arrange travel.

• Waiver of visa application charge: International students can submit a further study visa application without any costs, in case they are not able to accomplish their studies within their pre-specified visa validity in view of pandemic situation.
• Online study eligible to be counted towards prerequisite for post-study work visa: The present study visa holders studying online (outside Australia) in view of Covid-19 pandemic, will be able to count that study towards the study requirement of Australia for a post-study work visa.
• Post-study work rights: The foreign graduates, who held a student visa, can apply for a post-study work visa from outside Australia in case they are not able to return in view of the pandemic.
• Additional time for providing English language test results: An additional time will be given to candidates to give English language results where Coronavirus pandemic has interrupted access to these services.

As per DHA, the study visa application fee waiver will be offered to those international students, who held a student visa on or after 1st February 2020 and who were not able to complete their course of study, within their original visa validity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the application fee waiver is only for new applications and hence, there will not be any refund provision for already applied visas.

Eligibility for Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa

This one is another key measure as the Immigration minister has announced the relaxing of eligibility parameters for the post-study work (Temporary Graduate) visa. As per new change, the online study commenced by present and new student visa holders, because of COVID-19 travel restrictions, will be counted towards the Australian study requirement.

To confirm further details about this new change or to apply Skilled visa, visit visa, study visa, etc. in Australia this year, you may contact us on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or drop us an email at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar