9月22日澳大利亞政府正式公布了大家期待已久的對于學生簽證項目復審報告的回應。 在2010年年底， 澳大利亞吉拉德政府任命澳大利亞勛章獲得者Michael Knight先生對學生簽證項目進行首次獨立復審。Knight先生于2011年6月30日向政府提交了復審報告，對如何提高澳大利亞國際教育的質量和誠信度、增強其競爭力以及加強健全學生簽證項目共提出了41項建議。 澳大利亞政府支持Knight先生所提出的所有建議。此次簽證政策變化主要涉及簡化簽證審理，降低部分學生簽證申請人的經濟擔保金額要求，加強學生簽證項目的誠信度，畢業后工作簽證等內容。 以下是《澳大利亞政府回應Knight對學生簽證項目的復審》的詳細內容。

澳大利亞政府回應Knight對學生簽證項目的復審

國際教育行業為澳大利亞國際關系的建立做出了貢獻。專為澳大利亞國際發展署（AusAID）和澳大利亞國防部（Defence）資助的學生設立的簽證類別以及與在澳接受教育、擁有在澳生活體驗的歸國留學生之間所建立起來的聯系都充分證明了這一點。這些關系增強了國際社會對澳大利亞的了解，并可發展成為個人、企業和社會團體之間長期的聯系。

2010年12月，為了進一步完善政府之前推出的改革措施，吉拉德政府任命澳大利亞勛章獲得者Michael Knight先生對學生簽證項目進行首次獨立復審。Knight先生于2011年6月30日向政府提交了復審報告。可登陸澳大利亞移民與公民事務部（以下簡稱DIAC）網站查看或下載Knight先生復審報告全文的副本。詳見：www.immi.gov.au/students/knight/

Knight復審提出的建議

Knight先生對如何提高澳大利亞國際教育的質量和誠信度、增強其競爭力以及加強健全學生簽證項目共提出了41項建議。請登陸DIAC網站查看41項建議全文。

詳見：www.immi.gov.au/students/knight/

政府的回應

澳大利亞政府支持Knight先生所提出的所有建議，在實施時將稍作修改 ，以提高該行業的性能和更好地維護簽證制度的誠信度。

詳細措施如下：

簡化簽證審理

澳大利亞政府計劃推出簡化簽證審理辦法，這一辦法從2012年上半年入學就讀學士學位、碩士學位和博士學位的國際學生開始實施。這是對澳大利亞大學作為低風險、高質量教育提供機構整體所具有的良好記錄的肯定。

簡化簽證審理辦法亦適用于就讀非大學院校提供的與符合條件的大學課程相銜接的配套課程的國際學生，包括在澳大利亞大學就讀一個學期或一個學年非學歷課程的學生，例如，作為學生交流項目協議的一部分。

這一變化將縮短簽證審理時間以增強大學的競爭力。這意味著這些學生，無論來自哪個國家，都能享受到較低風險等級的審理標準（與現在的評估等級1級(AL1)類似）。政府在計劃實施日期開始前將留有時間與大學商討他們在其中的責任。

詳見：簡化簽證審理常見問題答疑

降低部分學生簽證申請人的經濟擔保金額要求

政府計劃降低對作為較高風險評估等級的3級（AL3）和4級（AL4）學生簽證申請人的經濟擔保金額要求，使這些申請人在申請簽證時能夠減少所需提供的經濟擔保金，目前要求銀行出具的擔保金額高達3.6萬澳元。特別是申請非大學院校的學生將因這些簽證政策變化而受益。這些變化預訂于2011年晚些時候開始實施。

詳見： 職業教育與培訓，中小學和非學歷教育類別常見問題答疑

加強學生簽證項目的誠信度

政府計劃推出一項新的真實的臨時入境者標準，將針對所有的學生簽證申請，這能使DIAC更好地評估移民風險，但不會增加對簽證申請或文件材料的要求。這項標準用于明確審核申請人的個人情況是否表明其來澳大利亞的主要目的是學習并且學成回國。

這項新標準使其他可能的簽證政策變化得以實施，減輕對一些未來留學生的簽證要求。如簡化簽證審理和降低部分學生簽證申請人的經濟擔保金額要求。

詳見：真實的臨時入境者（GTE）標準常見問題答疑

政府還將對學生簽證風險管理體系----所有評估等級（AL）進行一次根本性的復審，目標是建立如前面提及的更具針對性的體系。這項評估等級（AL）框架的復審將接受外部顧問組提供的建議。

現行的用以認定學生簽證風險等級的評估等級（AL）制度是按照申請人的國籍和教育類別對他們予以評級，并確定申請人在申辦簽證時需要提供的經濟擔保、教育背景和英語語言證明材料。

詳見：評估等級（AL）框架根本性復審常見問題答疑

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畢業后工作簽證 (Post-study work visa )

澳大利亞政府計劃向學士學位、碩士學位和博士學位大學畢業生發放畢業后工作簽證，該簽證將允許他們畢業后在澳最多工作四年。這項新簽證使無論何種專業課程都可適用，亦不必束縛于從事任何特定職業的工作。

這項簽證政策變化為大學畢業生提供了學成后留在澳大利亞積累實際工作經驗的機會。澳大利亞政府計劃新的學生簽證持有人可申請此類簽證，因此該簽證可能于2013年初開始實施。

詳見：畢業后工作簽證常見問題答疑

為英語語言學習提供更靈活的安排

澳大利亞政府計劃通過取消就讀單獨英語強化課程（ELICOS）課程的簽證申請人需提供英語語言測試成績的要求，使各類人群更容易在澳大利亞學習英語課程。

就讀中小學課程的學生簽證持有人也將受益于澳大利亞政府的下述簽證政策變化計劃：• 取消就讀中小學課程且評估等級在4級（AL4）的學生簽證申請人需提供英語語言測試成績的要求；• 允許就讀中小學課程的所有學生簽證持有人可選讀不超過50周的英語課程；• 給予學生監護人無限制的、非全日制地就讀ELICOS課程的權利。

詳見：ELICOS類別常見問題答疑詳見：職業教育與培訓（VET）、中小學以及非學歷教育類別常見問題答疑

研究型高等學位（HDR）類別

澳大利亞政府重視研究型高等學位（簡稱HDR）學生在促進和保持澳大利亞創新經濟中所發揮的作用。為了認可HDR國際學生的重要性和他們所作出的貢獻，政府計劃通過下列措施，使赴澳留學對HDR國際學生更具吸引力：

• 對HDR簽證推出簡化簽證審理辦法；• 可申請為期三年或四年的畢業后工作簽證（Post Study Work Visa）；• 學習期間獲得無限制的工作權利；以及• 延長HDR簽證的有效期，在論文互動評分期間可獲得最多6個月的延期簽證。詳見：研究型高等學位常見問題答疑

改進工作權利的規定

針對衡量學生工作權利的簽證政策變化將給學生和雇主在工作安排上提供靈活性。具體來說，政府計劃改變每周20小時的工作限制，改為每兩周40小時工作時間。

詳見：改進工作權利的規定常見問題答疑

為現有的學生簽證持有人推出的改進措施

政府計劃撤銷學生簽證自動取消和強制注銷的規定。新的審理辦法將使DIAC簽證官在做簽證決定時可以根據所有相關情況來考慮是否應取消學生簽證，為學生提供一個更公平的簽證結果。

詳見：為現有的學生簽證持有人推出的改進措施常見問題答疑

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改進簽證審理

簡化簽證審理和降低對一些簽證申請人的經濟擔保要求將減少簽證評審時間。政府將采取措施進一步簡化學生簽證申請的過程和學生簽證的處理：

• 預付的寄宿家庭費用將計算在學生簽證申請所要求的經濟擔保金中；• 停止DIAC的簽證預評估（PVA）政策，現行的政策是教育提供機構在向評估等級3級（AL3）和4級（AL4）境外學生簽發入學確認書前需先從DIAC獲得簽證預評估信；• 學生可在開課前最早提前4個月獲得學生簽證；以及• 定期更新學生簽證評審時的生活費擔保金額要求。政府計劃從2011年晚些時候逐步推出這些簽證政策變化。

詳見：改進簽證審理常見問題答疑

教育類簽證咨詢委員會（EVCC）

將建立一個新的經常性協商機制 - 教育類簽證咨詢委員會，為澳大利亞政府和國際教育行業間進行持續的磋商，共同參與教育類簽證政策的制定提供一個論壇平臺。

教育類簽證咨詢委員會的首屆會議將如期在2011年底前舉行。

詳見：教育類簽證咨詢委員會常見問題答疑

實施時間表

澳大利亞政府將分兩個主要階段實施一攬子簽證政策調整。

一些簽證政策調整將在2011年底之前實施，其中包括：真實的臨時入境者標準；取消就讀單獨ELICOS課程且評估等級在4級（AL4）及以上申請人需提供英語語言測試成績的要求，召開教育類簽證咨詢委員會首屆會議以及降低對評估等級3級（AL3）和4級（AL4）學生簽證申請人的經濟擔保要求。

針對2012年第二學期的入學及時實施余下的絕大部分建議。畢業后工作簽證有望于2013年初開始實施。

更多信息

DIAC網站上提供常見問題答疑。

隨著簽證政策變化的逐步實施，常見問題答疑文件也將隨之更新。

詳見：www.immi.gov.au/students/knight/

下面是英文版

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FACTSHEET

Government response to the Knight review of the student visa program

The international education sector contributes to Australia’s international relations. This is demonstrated not only through dedicated visas for AusAID and Defence students, but through the creation of links with students who return home with an Australian education and experience of Australian life. These relationships lead to a better understanding of Australia internationally and can develop into long-term connections for individuals, businesses and communities.

In December 2010, the government appointed the Hon Michael Knight AO to conduct the first independent review of the student visa program to complement earlier reforms. Mr Knight reported to the government on 30 June 2011 and a copy of his full report can be viewed or downloaded from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) website.

Knight Review recommendations

Mr Knight made 41 recommendations to enhance the quality, integrity and competitiveness of Australia’s international education sector and improve the integrity of the student visa program. A list of the 41 recommendations is available on DIAC’s website. See: www.immi.gov.au/students/knight/

Government response

The government supports all of Mr Knight’s recommendations and will implement them with some modifications to enhance the performance of the sector and to further safeguard the integrity of the visa system. The measures are detailed below.

Streamlined visa processing

The government plans to introduce streamlined visa processing for international students enrolled in Bachelor or certain higher degree courses, to commence in the first half of 2012. This recognises that universities, collectively, have a good track record as low-risk, high-quality providers.

International students who package their non-university courses with an eligible university course will also be able to access these streamlined arrangements. This would include students coming for semester or year long non-award courses at an Australian university, for example, as part of an agreed student exchange program.

This change will reduce visa processing times and increase the competitiveness of the university sector. It means that these students, regardless of their country of origin, will be treated as though they are lower risk (similar to the current AL1). The government’s planned implementation date will allow time to consult with universities on their responsibilities under the arrangements. See: Streamlined visa processing frequently asked questions

Reducing the financial requirements for some student visa applicants

The government plans to reduce the financial requirements for higher risk AL3 and AL4 student visa applicants, with students now needing up to $36 000 less in the bank when applying for a visa. Applicants for the non-university sector in particular will benefit from these changes. These changes are slated to commence in late 2011. See: Vocational Education and Training (VET), schools and non-award sectors frequently asked questions

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Enhancing the integrity of the student visa program

The government plans to introduce a new genuine temporary entrant criterion for all student visa applications which will enable DIAC to better assess immigration risk without adding to the visa application or documentary requirements. This criterion would explicitly address whether an applicant’s individual circumstances indicate that their principal aim is for a temporary stay in Australia to study and then return home.

This new criterion makes possible other proposed changes to reduce the visa requirements for some prospective students, for example, streamlined visa processing and a reduction of the financial requirements for certain applicants. See: Genuine temporary entrant (GTE) criterion frequently asked questions

The government will also undertake a fundamental review of the Student Visa risk management framework—the Assessment Levels—with the view to moving to a more targeted system as noted above. This AL framework review will receive input from an external reference group.

The current AL system for identifying student visa risk ranks applicants according to their nationality and education sector and determines the financial, educational and English language evidence applicants are required to provide.

See: Fundamental Assessment Level (AL) framework review frequently asked questions

Post-study work visa

The government plans to give university graduates in Bachelor, Masters and PhD courses access to a post-study work visa that will allow them to work in Australia for up to four years after they graduate. This new visa is planned to apply irrespective of the nature of the course and would not be tied to working in any particular occupation. This change provides an opportunity for university graduates to gain a period of practical experience in Australia, after completing their studies here. The government plans to make this visa available to new student visa holders, so will likely be available from early 2013. See: Post-study work visa frequently asked questions

More flexible arrangements for English language study

The government plans to make English language study in Australia more accessible for a range of people by removing the English language test requirements for stand alone English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) visa applicants. School student visa holders will also benefit from the government’s plans to: • remove the English language requirements for schools sector visa applicants who are subject to AL4 • allow all school student visa holders to study English for up to 50 weeks • give student guardians unlimited part-time study rights for ELICOS.

See: ELICOS sector frequently asked questions See: Vocational Education and Training (VET), schools and non-award sectors frequently asked questions

Higher Degree by Research (HDR) sector

The government values the role that HDR students play in fostering and maintaining Australia’s innovation economy. To recognise the importance and contribution of overseas HDR students, the government plans to make it more attractive for international HDR students to study in Australia through: • streamlined processing of HDR visas • access to a three or four year post-study work visa • unlimited work rights during study • an increase to the visa validity of all HDR visas by six months for the purpose of interactive marking of a thesis.

See: Higher Degree by Research (HDR) frequently asked questions

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Improved work entitlements

Changes to the way student work entitlements are measured will give students and their employers flexibility in relation to work arrangements. Specifically, the government plans to change the work restriction from 20 hours per week to 40 hours per fortnight. These proposed changes would commence from early 2012. See: Improved work entitlements frequently asked questions

Improvements for existing student visa holders

The government plans to revoke the automatic cancellation and mandatory cancellation provisions of student visas. The new process would allow DIAC decision-makers to take all relevant circumstances into account when considering whether or not a student visa should be cancelled, providing a fairer outcome for clients. See: Improvements for existing student visa holders frequently asked questions

Visa processing improvements

Streamlining visa processing and reducing the financial requirements for some visa applicants will reduce visa processing times. The government will take steps to further simplify the student visa application process and the processing of student visas by: • allowing prepaid homestay fees to be included in the financial requirements assessment for a student visa • stopping DIAC’s Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) policy which requires education providers to receive a PVA letter from DIAC before they can issue a confirmation of enrolment to AL3 and AL4 offshore students • granting student visas up to four months before the start of the course • regularly updating the living cost component of student visa financial requirements.

The government plans to progressively introduce these changes from late 2011. See: Visa processing improvements frequently asked questions

Education Visa Consultative Committee (EVCC)

A new ongoing consultative mechanism, the Education Visa Consultative Committee, will provide a forum for ongoing engagement between the Australian Government and the international education sector regarding education visas. The first meeting of EVCC will be scheduled to take place before the end of 2011. See: EVCC frequently asked questions

Implementation timetable

The government plans to implement the package in two major stages. A number of changes are slated for implementation before the end of 2011. These include the genuine temporary entrant criterion, the removal of the English language test requirements for AL4 and above, stand-alone ELICOS student visa applicants and the establishment and the inaugural meeting of EVCC and the reduction in financial requirements for AL3 and AL4 student visa applicants. The majority of the remaining recommendations would be implemented in time for semester two 2012 enrolments. The post-study work visa change is proposed to come into effect in early 2013.

Further informationFrequently asked questions (FAQs) are available on DIAC’s website. These FAQ documents will be updated with more information about the changes as they are progressively implemented. See: www.immi.gov.au/students/knight/

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