Student (Subclass 500) Visa: Ministerial Direction 111
Ministerial Direction 111 (MD111) replaces the revoked Ministerial Direction 107 (MD107) as of 19 December 2024. It outlines the order for considering and processing offshore Student (Subclass 500) Visa applications, focusing on enhancing the quality, integrity, and sustainability of the international education sector in Australia.
What are the Key Changes from MD 107 to MD 111?
Revocation of MD107: MD107 was designed to support strong recruitment practices for international students but was acknowledged to have uneven impacts on education providers. It was revoked on 18 December 2024.
Introduction of MD111: MD111 aims to create a more equitable processing system for student visa applications across various provider types and locations.
What is the Priority Processing Under MD111?
Priority Categories
Priority 1 – High:
This applies to offshore Student visa applications linked to providers in the higher education and vocational education sectors that have not reached their prioritisation threshold (80% of their indicative allocation of new overseas student commencements for 2025).
This category will move faster through processing compared to Priority 2.
Priority 2 – Standard:
This applies to providers that have reached their prioritisation threshold, subsequent entrants, and any other offshore Student visa applications.
What are the Key Features of Priority Processing?
Equitable Processing: MD111 aims to support a balanced approach to processing applications for different provider types, including regional and small providers.
Support for the Education Sector: The direction supports the well-managed processing of visa applications to achieve the government's broader international education objectives.
Who is Eligible for Priority 1 – High Processing?
Providers with Unmet Thresholds: Applications associated with providers who have not yet reached their prioritisation threshold (80% of the 2025 indicative allocation) will be processed under Priority 1.
Specific Sectors and Student Types: This includes students from schools, higher degree by research sectors, scholarship programs, TAFE students, and those from the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
The Importance of Early Application
MD111 aims to enhance the integrity and efficiency of the Student visa process while ensuring equitable treatment across various educational providers. To support timely processing, stakeholders in the international education sector should stay informed about the new arrangements and encourage prospective students to lodge applications early.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
Contact us at Agape Henry Crux, our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyer(s) and our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. If you received a Student visa refusal or cancellation, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.