Streamlined visa processing arrangements will be extended to students enrolled in advanced diploma level courses at low immigration risk providers, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Scott Morrison and Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne said yesterday in a media release. Prior to this SVP arrangements, similar to those in place for universities, have been available to prospective students of selected low immigration risk education providers who offer bachelor, masters or doctoral degree level courses.

Minister Morrison said the streamlining of the visa application process for advanced diploma courses will benefit eligible students through simpler and faster visa processing, and is in addition to existing arrangements for eligible higher education sector students.

'This will enable eligible education providers in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and higher education sector to directly access SVP. This will make study in Australia even more attractive to overseas students, while at the same time ensuring that immigration risk is appropriately managed,' Minister Morrison said.

Minister Pyne said that these changes will substantially benefit Australia's high-quality VET and higher education sectors, supporting the sustainable growth of Australia's international education industry while providing a vital boost to the economy.

'The number of international students seeking to study in Australia continues to rebound positively, with an increase of over 27 per cent in the number of visas granted to offshore applicants in the 2013-14 programme year,' Minister Pyne said.

'Extending SVP arrangements will help capitalise on these trends, reducing red tape and helping to attract further students from overseas.'

Invitations to participate will be sent to eligible providers in the second half of 2014. Subject to relevant legislative change, under the stewardship of the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, the government proposes to implement this extension by early 2015.

Further information is available at Extension of streamlined visa processing to non-university education providers.