The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Australia to waive visa fee for overseas students

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Tuesday, Nov 10, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Australia to waive visa fee for overseas students

Staff Reporter

Affected students need not pay A$540 from Jan 2010 to complete their studies at another school or college

Closure of 12 education providers in Australia this year has affected 4,700 students
Australian government’s primary concern is welfare of students, says Senator Evans

HYDERABAD: With the closure of another international education provider, Global Campus Management Group, the Australian government on Monday announced that it was introducing new measures to assist affected overseas students.

Beginning January 2010, overseas students who require a new visa to complete their studies at another school or college will be exempted from having to shell out A$540 (about Rs.22,447) towards student visa application charge.

This was stated by Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans in a press statement issued by the Australian High Commission in India on Monday. Twelve education providers have closed in Australia in 2009, affecting about 4,700 students. “In situations where an education provider can no longer offer a course, the government’s primary concern is the welfare of the student,” Senator Evans said. “We understand that these situations are not the fault of the students and the introduction of a fee exemption will ensure they are not shouldered with an additional financial burden.”

Students affected by the closure of an education provider in 2009 who have already applied for a new student visa in the interim, will be able to apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for a refund of their visa application fee, the statement said.

The exemption would apply for any student affected by closure of an education provider, a spokesperson from the Australian High Commission told The Hindu.

Funding costs

In another significant development, the Australian government announced that it would increase the minimum financial requirements for overseas students from January 1, 2010. Those aspiring to study in that country will now have to “demonstrate that they have access to at least A$18,000 (about Rs.7,48,000) a year to fund their living costs in Australia, instead of the current A$12,000 (about Rs.4,98,000).” This would be implemented through regulation change later this month, subject to approval by the country’s Parliament and Governor-General.

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