If you are planning to study in Australia or closely follow global education and visa policy updates, a recent decision by the Australian government is important to understand. Australia remains one of the most popular destinations for international students, particularly from India and South Asia, but visa rules continue to evolve in response to compliance and integrity concerns.
In a significant policy update, Australian authorities have revised the student visa risk classification for several countries, including India. The change affects documentation requirements and the level of scrutiny applied to applications, making it essential for prospective students to stay informed before submitting their visa requests.
Australia has placed India in its highest-risk assessment category for student visas, a move that will result in stricter documentation requirements and closer scrutiny of applications. The decision is part of a broader effort by Australian authorities to address integrity concerns in the international education system.
India has been reclassified from Assessment Level 2 (AL2) to Assessment Level 3 (AL3) under Australia’s student visa risk framework, which ranges from AL1 (lowest risk) to AL3 (highest risk). Despite the change, India remains one of Australia’s largest source countries for international students, contributing nearly 140,000 enrolments out of approximately 650,000 international students currently studying in the country.
New Classification Effective From January 8, 2026
The revised assessment level came into effect on January 8, 2026. In an official statement, Australian authorities said the update aims to strengthen visa integrity while continuing to support genuine students.
“This change in Evidence Levels will assist with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia,” the statement said.
Along with India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan have also been moved to the AL3 category, while Pakistan continues to remain in the highest-risk tier.
Australia Among ‘Big Four’ Study Destinations
According to a report by Australia Today, Julian Hill, Minister for International Education, said Australia has become the “least worst country of choice” among the Big Four international education destinations—the others being the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. All four countries have introduced tighter student visa regulations in recent years amid rising compliance and migration concerns.
Stricter Documentation Requirements for Students
Students applying from AL3 countries will now be required to submit more detailed evidence of financial capacity, English language proficiency, and genuine temporary entrant intentions, along with other supporting documents.
Abul Rizvi, former Deputy Secretary of Australia’s Department of Immigration, explained that higher risk levels involve deeper verification. Authorities may contact educational institutions to verify academic records and reach out to financial institutions to confirm bank statements, he said.
Rizvi added that recent incidents involving fraudulent academic credentials in India could have influenced the revised classification.
Kerala Fake Certificate Case Draws Attention
The decision follows investigations by the Kerala Police, who uncovered a large-scale fake certificate operation allegedly involving fraudulent academic documents supplied to international universities. Authorities claimed the racket affected over 10 lakh individuals.
Australian Senator Malcolm Roberts criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government, alleging insufficient action on the issue.
“Police in India have allegedly seized 100,000 forged certificates from 22 universities, with more than 1 million potentially used for jobs overseas,” Roberts said in a post on X dated January 6.
He also claimed that 23,000 foreign students in Australia were previously found to be holding purchased degrees, particularly in sectors such as aged care and early childhood education. These claims have not been officially confirmed by the Australian government.
Impact on Future Student Applications
It is not yet clear whether India’s placement in the AL3 category is a temporary measure or part of a long-term shift in Australia’s international education policy. However, the move is expected to lead to longer processing times and more stringent compliance checks for student visa applicants.
Prospective students are advised to ensure that all documentation is accurate, verifiable, and complete when applying to study in Australia under the revised rules.
For students aspiring to pursue higher education in Australia, the updated assessment level does not mean doors are closed, but it does signal the need for greater preparation and transparency. Applicants will need to ensure that their academic records, financial documents, and intent to study are clearly supported by verifiable evidence.
As Australia continues to balance the demand for international education with stronger visa integrity measures, students and education consultants are advised to monitor official updates closely. Staying informed and compliant with the latest requirements will remain key to a smooth student visa application process going forward.
