Australia’s Student Visa Priority Processing: Critical Information for CRICOS Providers, Students, and Educational Agents.

Australia's new student visa processing framework:

Priority Tiers Dictate Speed: Offshore visa applications are now split. Priority 1 (High) gets faster processing, while Priority 2 (Standard) means likely delays.

• Provider Allocations are Crucial: CRICOS providers have indicative "New Overseas Student Commencement" (NOSC) allocations.

• Certain Student Categories Fast-Tracked: Applications for schools, TAFEs, postgraduate research, and specific other cohorts often receive Priority 1, regardless of the provider's current NOSC status.

• Onshore Processing Also Impacted: While MD111 focuses offshore, similar pressures (Assessment Levels, course types, sector priorities) are creating variable processing times and uncertainty for onshore student visa applications.