Canberra, 17 November 2025 — The Australian Government has rolled out a major update to offshore Subclass 500 Student Visa processing through Ministerial Direction No. 115 (MD115). The new rules apply to all student visa applications lodged on or after 14 November 2025, officially replacing MD111.

This update reshapes how applications are prioritised, improves transparency, and helps the Government manage the rising number of international students expected in 2026 and the following years.

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Applications Now Assessed in Lodgement Order

The Department of Home Affairs will continue assessing applications in the order they are lodged. However, processing times may still differ due to demand, peak periods, and the complexity of individual files.

To understand current timelines, applicants can use the Visa Processing Time Guide Tool, which gives an estimate based on recently finalised applications. Although helpful, this tool does not predict the exact time for any specific case.

MD115 Introduces a Three-Level Priority System

Under the new framework, offshore student visa applications fall into three priority levels, replacing the previous two-level structure under MD111.

Priority 1 – Highest Priority

This group includes:

  • School students

  • Short-term exchange and non-award students

  • Standalone ELICOS students

  • TAFE students, including selected Charles Darwin University courses

  • Recognised pilot training programs

  • PhD and postgraduate research candidates

  • DFAT-sponsored and Defence-sponsored students

  • Government scholarship recipients

  • Transnational education applicants

  • Students from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste

  • Subsequent entrants that include a minor

  • Higher Education and VET students whose providers have not reached their prioritisation threshold

Priority 2 – Standard Priority

This applies to:

  • Higher Education and VET applicants whose providers have reached 80% of their NOSC allocation

  • Subsequent entrants without minors

Priority 3 – Lower Priority

Priority 3 is assigned when a student’s provider has exceeded 115% of its NOSC allocation.
This level mainly affects Higher Education and VET applicants linked to over-subscribed institutions.

Processing Timelines Under MD115

The Department plans to begin processing within these indicative timeframes:

  • Priority 1: 1–4 weeks

  • Priority 2: 5–8 weeks

  • Priority 3: 9–12 weeks

These timeframes depend on 2025 resources and may shift if applications rise or during peak seasons. Although priority affects when an application is assessed, it does not determine whether the visa will be granted or refused.

MD111 Still Applies to Pre-14 November Applications

Applications lodged before 14 November 2025 will continue under MD111, which has only two categories: High (Priority 1) and Standard (Priority 2).

Although the categories resemble those in MD115, the new direction provides an additional third tier for better allocation management.

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Provider Thresholds Now Play a Key Role

Under MD115, a student’s priority level depends on the status of their education provider at the time of lodgement.

Students should check:

  • Higher Education and dual-sector providers through the Visa Prioritisation Status website

  • VET providers directly, to confirm whether thresholds or upper limits have been reached

The Department advises students to verify a provider’s status on the day they lodge, as this determines their final priority category.

Packaged Courses: Priority Based on Main CoE

Many students apply with a package of courses, such as ELICOS + Diploma + Degree. In these cases, the priority level is based on the main Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which is usually the final course.

Both MD111 and MD115 follow this rule. The provider’s threshold on the lodgement date decides whether the application falls under Priority 1, 2, or 3.

For example:

  • Applications lodged between 15 November and 31 December are assessed using the provider’s allocation for the following year.

  • Students applying for 2026 and 2027 may see priority shifts depending on the main course provider’s allocation progress.

System Aims for Fairness and Predictability

MD115 marks a major step toward a more organised visa process. It supports education sector planning, improves clarity for students, and gives higher priority to school applicants, research candidates, and scholarship holders.

The Department has encouraged applicants to lodge complete applications early to avoid delays and ensure smoother processing.

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