Indian students planning to study in Australia have received disappointing news. The Australian government has made important changes to its student visa system, making the process tougher for Indian applicants.
Under the new rules, Indian students will now have to submit more documents and face stricter checks during the visa process. This change could make it harder to secure a student visa compared to earlier.
Stricter Visa Rules Under New Category
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Australia has updated the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). Indian students have been moved from Evidence Level 2 (EL2) to Evidence Level 3 (EL3).
This shift places Indian applicants in the “highest risk” category. This decision has surprised many, especially because Indian students form the largest group of international students in Australia.
Earlier, under EL2, students had a smoother process. They needed fewer documents, faced less questioning about finances, and had more relaxed English language requirements.
What Changes for Students Now?
With the move to EL3, things become more challenging. Students will now go through stricter screening before getting approval.
They must provide strong proof of financial stability to support their education. In addition, they will need to submit more academic documents and clearly prove that their main purpose is to study in Australia.
In simple terms, getting an Australian student visa will now take more effort, time, and documentation than before.
Government Confirms the Decision
The Indian government has also informed Parliament about this update. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, shared the details in the Rajya Sabha.
He stated that the new rule came into effect on January 8, 2026. The Australian government has officially moved Indian students from EL2 to EL3, bringing back stricter rules that were in place before September 2025.
This means that Indian students planning to study in Australia in 2025 and beyond should be prepared for a tougher visa process.
