Priority system for international students

A new Ministerial Direction has come into effect on 14 November this year which the government hopes will “strengthen and balance distribution of international students across education providers in regional and metropolitan locations”. Ministerial Direction 115 replaces Ministerial Direction 111 to support the 2026 National Planning Level for international student places and related policy measures announced in August 2025.

In a statement by the Hon Julian Hill MP Assistant Minister for International Education

Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs said that: “Throughout 2025 we have seen the positive effect of a managed growth approach across the sector – returning student numbers to a more sustainable level."

“Growth has moderated, with student lodgements down by over 26% last year and commencements down on last year by 16%."

“The introduction of this ministerial direction continues to build on the Government’s work to maintain the quality, integrity and sustainability of our international education system.”

Now a three-tier system will be used to assess student visa applications, with students applying to providers that are at less than 80 percent of their allocation to have these visas processed fastest, within one to four weeks after lodgement – Priority 1.

Those providers that have between 80 percent and 11 percent of their allocation will have slower processing times of up to eight weeks – Priority 2. Those providers that have exceeded the 115 percent will be waiting up to 12 weeks – Priority 3.

This new framework aims to support smaller vocational education and training (VET) providers, promoting fairer allocation and utilisation of student places across all education types.

Student visa applications for schools, ELICOS, non-award programs, TAFE, pilot training and postgraduate research programs will be treated as Priority 1 and government scholarship students, transnational education students, and applicants from the Pacific countries or Timor-Leste will be treated as Priority 1.

“Under the new direction, visa processing resources are allocated to support all education providers on an equitable basis. Higher processing priorities are afforded to providers who manage their international student enrolments broadly in accordance with their indicative allocations under the National Planning Level,” Minister Hill said.

“The direction will also promote greater utilisation of allocations to more fairly respond to the needs of small vocational education and training providers.”

Information sessions will be held with education providers in November and December to explain the operation of Ministerial Direction 115. The new Ministerial Direction 115 was referred to at the 2025 Australian International Education Conference by Minister Hill.