Education Desk Mumbai

Australia has rolled out a major change to how international student visas are processed, introducing a new tier-based system that could affect the speed at which applications move. The rule, known as Ministerial Direction 115 (MD 115), came into effect today and replaces the earlier MD 111 directive. Under the new system, visa processing speed is now directly linked to how well each university or college manages its approved enrollment cap.

Priority 1: Institutions using less than 80% of their quota

  → Students can expect faster visa movement.

Priority 2: Institutions using 80% to 115% of their quota

→ Processing may be moderate.

Priority 3: Institutions that are above 115% of their allowed limit

→ Files may move slower, even if all documents are complete.

The government says the system is designed to bring more control to enrolments after a sharp rise in applications earlier this year strained universities, housing availability, and local services.

Australia has been working to stabilise its international education sector following months of high demand. Officials said that visa lodgements dropped by 26%, and new student commencements fell by 16% after recent policy changes. This drop gave the government room to shift to a more structured visa framework.

While regional universities have welcomed the move, arguing it ensures a fairer distribution of enrolments, several large metropolitan universities, including those in the Group of Eight, have expressed concerns about possible uncertainty and longer waiting times for students.

Impact on Indian students: The new rule for many Indian applicants means that the choice of university may make a difference in visa speed more than ever.

- Students applying to institutions operating within their limits—especially regional campuses—may see quicker processing.

- Those applying to universities over their cap may experience delays, even if their documentation is perfect.

- The rule does not block anyone from applying, but delays are now tied to institutional priority instead of individual eligibility.

Students should keep in mind: Applicants who were targeting the 2026 intake may want to consider adjusting the timeline. Experts advise:

- Apply early, especially if choosing large metropolitan universities.

- Monitor the quota system's alignment with the institution's compliance level.

- Ensure that all documents are complete and up-to-date, since any delay will push the timeline further.

- Consider regional campuses, which possibly provide easier processing.

Australia will hold information sessions for universities and colleges throughout November and December to help them transition to the new rule. As the upcoming academic year approaches, students are expected to watch institutional trends closely, with MD 115 potentially reshaping decision-making for thousands of aspirants from India and across the world.