Good Careers Guide
  • Courses
  • Rankings
  • Institutions
  • Scholarships
  • Studying in Australia
  • Blogs
  • Events
    1. Home
    2. Blog
    3. Australian education news
    4. Knight Review changes for international students

    Knight Review changes for international students

    Australia’s policies and procedures involving international students are always changing and improving as the government — through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) —takes on new Students stand in courtyard holding booksways to embrace international students. In recent months, there have been more changes than usual due to the release of a review into Australia’s international student policies — the Knight Review.

    The Australian Government has introduce a number of changes recommended in this review that will benefit international students. The majority of these have already been introduced.

    In response to the Knight Review, the Australian Government has:

    • reduced the financial requirements for Assessment Level 3 and 4 student visa applicants ( you can check your student visa assessment level on the DIAC website) — these applicants now have to prove that they have access to AUD$36,000 less than before
    • allowed prepaid homestay fees to be included in the financial requirements assessment for a student visa
    • extended the time new PhD students can stay in Australia while their thesis is being marked by six months
    • discontinued the pre-visa assessment (PVA) policy for student visa applicants from Assessment Levels 3 and 4 enrolling in courses at bachelor degree level or higher — this will streamline the enrolment process and means students from all countries will be treated as lower risk
    • allowed all English language students to apply for a visa without first meeting minimum English skills requirements.

    In addition to the Knight Review changes, there are other changes that potential international students should be aware of:

    • From 24 March 2012, student visa assessment levels for 29 countries will be reduced, lowering the minimum evidentiary requirements for students from certain countries and education sectors. For more information, see the list of eligible countries.
    • From 5 November 2011, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) will not be the only test recognised for student visa applications. DIAC will now take into consideration test results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT), the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic and the Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).

    Further information:

    • What’s new for students and sponsored training— DIAC website
    • Implementation of the Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program — DIAC website

    Related blogs

    Why you should still come to Melbourne to study


    06 Sep 2018

    read more

    $11.2 million scholarship initiative for Indian international students


    15 Mar 2022

    read more

    $41.2 million for international education in Western Australia


    26 May 2022

    read more

    Categories
    • Australian education news 91
    • Life after study 59
    • Study tips 90
    • About Australia 129
    Tags
    newsKR

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Join the conversation

    Universities in Australia

    • Universities in Canberra/ACT
    • Universities in Sydney/NSW
    • Universities in Brisbane/QLD
    • Universities in Adelaide/SA
    • Universities in Hobart/TAS
    • Universities in Melbourne/VIC
    • Universities in Perth/WA

    Scholarships in Australia

    • Scholarships in Canberra/ACT
    • Scholarships in Sydney/NSW
    • Scholarships in Brisbane/QLD
    • Scholarships in Adelaide/SA
    • Scholarships in Hobart/TAS
    • Scholarships in Melbourne/VIC
    • Scholarships in Perth/WA

    Courses in Australia

    • Courses in Canberra/ACT
    • Courses in Sydney/NSW
    • Courses in Brisbane/QLD
    • Courses in Adelaide/SA
    • Courses in Hobart/TAS
    • Courses in Melbourne/VIC
    • Courses in Perth/WA
    © 2025 Studies in Australia
    About us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Enquire now!
    Good Education GroupAbout | Contact | Bookshop
    Good Universities GuideGood Schools GuideStudies in AustraliaACIR