The Australian Department of Home Affairs has announced the recommencement of Evidence Level updates, effective Wednesday, November 20, 2024, between 9 am and 12 pm AEDT. This decision follows a pause in September 2024 and reflects the government’s focus on improving visa application processes and supporting genuine student recruitment.

Key Changes in Evidence Levels

1. Recognition for High-Performing Providers: Education providers that have shown improved performance will have their Evidence Level ratings upgraded.

2. Adjustments for Underperforming Providers: Providers with declining performance will have their ratings downgraded. However, exceptions will be made for higher education institutions, schools, and public vocational education and training providers, allowing them to retain their current levels while being closely monitored.

Background on the Update

The Evidence Level update is based on immigration outcomes from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. It aims to reward providers demonstrating improved outcomes while introducing measures to address recruitment concerns. This update comes in response to a 28% decline in visa applications for the first quarter of 2024-25 compared to the same period in 2023-24 (99,868 applications versus 112,605).

The decline in applications reflects stricter integrity measures, the implementation of the Genuine Student test, and adjustments to existing processes. While some offshore markets show improvement, with lower refusal rates and better-quality applications, onshore applications face higher refusal rates due to stricter compliance requirements.

Looking Ahead

Routine Evidence Level updates are expected to resume in March 2025. In the interim, the Department will monitor providers and make necessary adjustments should any inappropriate recruitment practices be identified.

The Department encourages education providers to submit high-quality, decision-ready visa applications to ensure timely processing for the upcoming academic year. These updates are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of Australia’s international education sector while supporting genuine students and maintaining system integrity.