Australia Delivers Bad News for Students from Bangladesh and India

Last year, nearly three-quarters of international students arriving in Australia came from these four nations. Dr. Abul Rizvi, Deputy Secretary of the Immigration Department, stated, “Due to highly unusual circumstances, the Evidence Level (EL) for these four countries has been raised from Level 2 to Level 3. This will ensure more detailed verification of students' integrity as well as their financial and academic capabilities.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said, “This change will help address emerging integrity issues. Simultaneously, it will ensure that genuine students have the opportunity to receive a quality education in Australia. It is essential to have the right policies for international students so they can invest with confidence and have a positive experience during their stay.”

Under the new Evidence Level 3 (EL3), applicants' financial capacity, academic history, previous visa and travel records, and other relevant documents will be verified in greater detail. This information will play a crucial role in assessing rates of visa fraud, cancellations, unlawful stays, and subsequent protection (refugee) visa applications.

Experts believe that while the new strict regulations make the student visa process more complex, Australia aims to ensure a safe and transparent educational environment for high-quality international students. This is seen as a step toward maintaining the country's educational standards and implementing international student support policies.

Although this decision poses a challenge for students, the opportunity to receive quality education in Australian institutions remains open for those who apply in full compliance with the regulations.