Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Johnston for his question. I was delighted to announce yesterday, with the education minister, Minister Pyne, the introduction of a simplified student visa framework (SSVF) to support Australia's international education services sector. The simplified student visa framework will provide incentives for all education providers in all sectors to recruit genuine students.

Stakeholders have indicated that a new framework was required that maintained the benefits of streamlined visa processing but addressed issues such as the regulatory costs of the arrangements. The simplified student visa framework is expected to support the sustainable growth of the international sector by simplifying the student visa framework and reducing red tape; by creating a level playing field for all education providers; and by delivering a targeted and nuanced approach to immigration integrity. The new framework will replace both the streamlined visa processing arrangements and the current assessment level framework, and will apply to all international students. The changes outlined this week will mean a reduction in the number of student visa subclasses from eight down to two, and the introduction of a simplified, single immigration framework for all international students. An improved approach to the administration of student visas as part of the new framework will have clear benefits and reduce complexity within the current framework. The new framework will combine the immigration risk associated with both the student's intended education provider and the country of citizenship into a single immigration risk model. There will be no additional obligations or burdens placed on education providers. This government welcomes genuine international students and we are committed to improving and protecting the integrity of our immigration system to facilitate their entry to Australia. (Time expired)