In the past, Australia’s international education visa system operated under a structured subclass model—570 for ELICOS, 571 for schools, 572 for Vocational Education and Training (VET), 573 for higher education, and 574 for research. Each subclass reflected a different academic level, and transitioning between them required a new visa application. This structure provided clarity and fostered accountability among students, education providers, and agents alike.

In 2016, the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) replaced the subclass model, merging all levels into a single subclass (500) and relying instead on provider risk ratings and financial/English evidence requirements. While the intentions behind SSVF were sound—streamlining visa processing and reducing administrative burden—the outcomes have been mixed. With rising concerns around course hopping, misuse of visa pathways, and the challenges of managing compliance in a one-size-fits-all system, it’s time to ask the question: Should we return to a tiered student visa model?

Benefits of a Structured Visa System

1. Minimise Course Hopping and Misuse of Visa Pathways
 Under the old system, changing the level of study—from a bachelor’s degree to a VET course, for instance—required a new visa. This discouraged opportunistic shifts post-arrival, ensuring students remained aligned with their original study intentions.

2. Automatic Visa Cancellations Through PRISMS
 In the previous model, a student who was reported in PRISMS (e.g. for non-commencement, attendance issues, or unsatisfactory progress) would automatically trigger a Section 116 visa cancellation. They would be given 28 days to respond or make a new application. This system provided a clear consequence framework, reducing ambiguity and reinforcing compliance.

3. Fair and Transparent Visa Fees
 A modern reimagining of the subclass system could incorporate a tiered or subscription-based visa fee structure. For example:

  • $50 per month of study (plus a buffer for holidays), akin to how Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is calculated.
    This would make fees fairer for short-term courses and bring more predictability to the system.

4. Better Data for Risk Assessment and Policy Making
 Separate subclasses would generate more accurate data tied to study levels, allowing government departments, institutions, and policy makers to better track trends, identify risk, and allocate resources effectively.

5. Alignment Across the Education Sector
 Education providers, agents, and genuine students benefit from a structure that encourages long-term, well-planned study pathways. The subclass model fostered clearer roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.

A Modern Framework for Today’s Needs

A return to a subclass structure doesn’t mean going back in time—it means moving forward with a smarter framework. We now have the tools to build a more dynamic, technology-driven visa model that supports growth and integrity. This could include:

  • Digital visa management dashboards for students and providers
  • Predictive compliance alerts based on attendance, course changes, and PRISMS activity
  • Stronger collaboration between immigration, education regulators, and EdTech platforms
  • Inbuilt student journey tracking to better evaluate outcomes and satisfaction

Final Thoughts

Australia’s international education sector is a global leader—but maintaining that status means being bold enough to reassess past policies. The collapse of clear study-level distinctions under SSVF may have solved some problems but created new ones. By reintroducing visa subclasses (or a modernised equivalent), we could bring back much-needed transparency, structure, and accountability.

Should we bring back student visa levels?  What would a smarter, more effective model look like? Share your insights in the comments or connect to collaborate on improving international education policy.

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