Australian Student Visa Rule Change- What UAE Studends should know
Australia has introduced Ministerial Direction 115, reshaping how Student Visa (Subclass 500) applications are processed — a major update for UAE-based students planning to study Down Under.
With international student demand slowing in 2025, the new system aims to ensure fairer distribution of students across both major cities and regional campuses, while helping universities maintain quality and accommodation availability.
Key Changes for UAE Students
New rules apply from 14 November 2025
All offshore Student Visa (Subclass 500) applications lodged on or after this date will follow the new priority system.
Faster processing for compliant institutions
If you apply to a university or college that responsibly manages its international student numbers, your visa may be processed faster.
More opportunities across smaller institutes
Smaller vocational and regional institutions now get a fairer share of student allocation — giving UAE students more options beyond big-city universities.
Better quality and reduced misuse
The reforms are part of Australia’s effort to maintain academic quality, secure more student accommodation, and prevent visa misuse.
Why It Matters for UAE Students
With thousands of students choosing Australia every year, these changes will directly impact how quickly visas are approved and which institutions receive priority.
Students planning for the 2026 intake should check whether their chosen university meets the new compliance standards, as it could affect visa timelines.
Australia will also conduct information sessions through November and December to help institutions transition.
