Offshore Student Visa Processing Priority Updates: What International Students Need to Know

From 14 November 2025, a new Ministerial Direction will change the way offshore Student Visa (Subclass 500) applications are prioritised for processing. The priority category is set at the time the application is lodged and does not affect the final visa decision.

Overview of Ministerial Directions

Before 14 November 2025, offshore student visa applications are considered under Ministerial Direction 111. From 14 November 2025 onwards, all new offshore applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 115.

Ministerial Directions outline how the Department schedules assessment of applications. They do not change visa criteria, eligibility requirements, or the likelihood of approval.

Processing Category 1

Processing Category 1 includes applicants such as:

• school students

• non-award sector students, including short-term exchange

• standalone ELICOS students

• students enrolled with a TAFE provider (or specified TAFE courses at Charles Darwin University)

• students undertaking recognised Pilot training courses

• postgraduate research students (PhD)

• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sponsored students

• Department of Defence sponsored students

• foreign and Australian government scholarship recipients

• transnational education students

• applicants from the Pacific and Timor-Leste

• subsequent entrants when the application includes a minor under 18

The Department aims to commence assessment within approximately 1 to 4 weeks of lodgement for applications in this group.

Processing Category 2

Processing Category 2 applies to:

• Higher Education and VET students whose education providers have reached 80% of their New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) allocation

• subsequent entrants who do not include a minor

Applications in this category generally commence assessment within 5 to 8 weeks of lodgement.

Processing Category 3

Processing Category 3 includes:

• Higher Education and VET students whose providers have exceeded 115% of their NOSC allocation

Assessment for these applications generally begins within 9 to 12 weeks after lodgement.

Offshore Student Visa Processing Priority Updates: Book a Consultation

This update is important for international students preparing to apply for a Student Visa from outside Australia. Understanding how applications are ordered under Ministerial Direction 115 can help applicants better anticipate timelines and prepare supporting documents in advance.

If you need help reviewing your documents, preparing your application, or understanding how these updates affect you, you can book a FREE consultation for your student visa application and course application.

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