Australian study dreams for Indians seems to be on thin ice, as Indian students have faced yet another jolt. As per latest reports, now, Australia has reclassified India to the highest risk category for student visas. This move that came in effect from January 8, has now triggered stricter checks for Indian applicants. Now any Indian student applying for an Australian student visa will have to go through a rigorous documentation check and would have to go through deeper scrutiny. The applicants might also have to face a longer processing time. As per the authorities this decision has been taken in order to address the emerging integrity risks. With this update now, thousands of Indian students who are planning to head to Australia will now be directly impacted.
The Australian authorities manage student visa applications using the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). Under this framework the countries are ranked from Evidence Level 1 (with the lowest risk) to Evidence Level 3 (with the highest risk). Now India, along with Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan has been placed into the Evidence 3 category. This is the strictest category among all.
Once placed in this category, it means that now a more extensive screening would take place. The proof of finances and academic history would now require additional verifications and through background check.
As of now, Australia has not published any official list specifying what triggered this move, but reports suggest that due to increasing cases of fraudulent and non-genuine applications as key factor that lead to this decision. India accounts for a considerably large share of Australia’s international students, the number is nearly 1,40,000 Indian students out of total 6,50,000 total enrolments that took place in 2025. This large number indicates that any changes made in the visa policy would directly affect Indian students and their future plans.
This move is expected to have a direct impact on the Indian students who are planning to get an Australian visa. Now they would have to conduct a more through preparation for their documents that would be used in applying for the visa. They also would have to now be more rigid with the deadlines and apply early. Now, chances of follow up questions and interview will get higher.
However, this does not mean that Australia has banned Indian students, but just increased the formalities for evidences they provide with the visa applications. Officials say the adjustment is meant to balance educational opportunity with concerns about possible misuse of the visa system.