Australian Embassy
Vietnam
Embassy address: 8 Dao Tan Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi - Telephone: 3831 7755 - Fax: 3831 7711

ASSESSMENT LEVEL CHANGE FOR SCHOOLS SECTOR VISAS - VIETNAM INFORMATION SHEET

Effective from 01 September 2008 there is a positive change to the Assessment Level for Vietnamese students wishing to apply for Schools Sector (Subclass 571) visa.  The Assessment Level for this particular subclass has dropped from Assessment Level 3 to Assessment Level 2.

What does a change from Assessment Level 3 to 2 mean?

A change in assessment level means a change in the evidentiary requirements (Engilsh language proficiency, financial capacity, and other requirements) with a drop in assessment level signifying that the thresholds for these evidentiary requirements become lower.  The major changes for Schools Sector (Subclass 571) applicants and their guardians are listed below.

Old evidentiary requirement under Assessment Level 3 for Schools Sector applicants                                       New evidentiary requirement under Assessment Level 2 for School Sector applicants                                                  
  • Evidence of funds required to cover travel, tuition and living expenses for the first 24 months.
  • These funds must have been held for at least 3 consecutive months immediately before the date of the visa application.
  • Evidence of income stream must be provided.
  • Evidence of funds required to cover travel, tuition and living expenses for the first 12 months.
  • Evidence of income stream must be provided if funds are from a bank account and may be requested if funds are from a source other than a bank account (eg. a credit line or bank loan).

 

  • The applicant must give evidence that he or she has a level of English language proficiency that satisfies his or her proposed education provider.
  • If the applicant is not a secondary exchange student and must have undertaken an ELICOS or other English language bridging course before commencing his or her principal course in order to satisfy the English language proficiency requirements of the education provider, he or she must give evidence that the ELICOS (or other English language bridging course) will have a duration of no more than 40 weeks.
  • The applicant must give evidence that he or she has a level of English language proficiency that satisfies his or her proposed education provider.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  •  The applicant must give evidence that he or she has successfully completed schooling to at least the Year 6 level (or its equivalent).
  • The applicant will be:

- Less than 17 years old if proposing to undertake Year 9 studies;

- Less than 18 years old if proposing to undertake Year 10 studies;

- Less than 19 years old if proposing to undertake Year 11 studies; or

- Less than 20 years old if proposing to undertake year 12 studies.

  • The applicant must give evidence that, at the time of making the application, he or she was at least 6 years old.
  • The applicant must give evidence that he or she has the educational qualifications required by his or her education provider.

 

 

 

 

Further information on the requirements for a School Sector (Subclass 571) visa

Please refer to the "School Sector (Subclass 571) visa Checklist" for further details of the documentary and other requirements.

Impact on accompanying Student Guardians

The change in Assessment Level for schools sector students is also reflected in the requirements for parents/guardians applying for a Student Guardian (Subclass 580) visa to accompany the student.  Student Guardians are required to show evidence of funds for their travel and living expenses in Australia for the first 12 months.

What is the current Assessment Level for other student visa subclasses?

Student Visa subclass                                                                                 Assessment Level (AL)                                       
Subclass 570 (Independent ELICOS) AL 3
Subclass 571 (Schools Sector) AL 3 (prior to 01/09/2008)
Subclass 572 (Vocational Education and Training) AL 3
Subclass 573 (Higher Education Sector) AL 2
Subclass 574 (Post Graduate Research Sector) AL 1
Subclass 575 (Non-Award) AL 3
Subclass 576 (AusAID/Defence Student) AL 2

Further information on student visas

For further information on student visas, please refer to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website http://www.immi.gov.au/students/

For detailed information about applying for a student visa from Vietnam, please refer to the Australian Embassy website http://www.vietnam.embassy.gov.au/hnoi/Visas%5fand%5fMigration.html

Last updated 21 August 2008