1516825 (Migration) [2016] AATA 4082 (8 July 2016)
DECISION RECORD
DIVISION:Migration & Refugee Division
APPLICANT: Mr Muhammad NAUMAN
CASE NUMBER: 1516825
DIBP REFERENCE(S): BCC2015/2765670
MEMBER:Alison Mercer
DATE:8 July 2016
PLACE OF DECISION: Melbourne
DECISION:The Tribunal remits the application for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa for reconsideration, with the direction that the applicant meets the following criteria for a subclass 573 Higher Education Sector visa:
·cl.573.223(2)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
Statement made on 08 July 2016 at 1:07pm
STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS
APPLICATION FOR REVIEW
This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration on 27 November 2015 to refuse to grant the applicant a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act).
The applicant applied for the visa on 22 September 2015. At the time of lodgement, Class TU contained a number of subclasses. Generally speaking, the subclass that can be granted to an applicant who applies as a student depends upon: the type of course in which the applicant is enrolled or has an offer of enrolment as his or her principal course (Subclass 570 - 575); whether the applicant has the support of the relevant Minister (Subclass 576); or whether the applicant has applied on the basis of being a Student Guardian (Subclass 580).
In the present case, the delegate assessed the applicant against the criteria for a subclass 573 visa on the basis of enrolment in a Bachelor of Business (Accounting). The visa was refused because the applicant did not provide the evidence required to demonstrate he was a genuine student as required by cl.573.223 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
The Tribunal received a review application from the applicant on 7 December 2015, which was accompanied by a copy of the delegate’s decision and an authority by which he appointed a registered migration agent, Mr Harpal Singh Bhajwa, to be his representative and authorised recipient for correspondence for the purposes of the review.
On 22 March 2016, the applicant’s agent provided a copy of a PTE Academic Test Taker Score Report showing that the applicant obtained a score of 63 in a test he undertook on 22 February 2016. On 14 June 2016, the applicant’s agent provided an updated Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the applicant showing that he was enrolled in a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at Cambridge International College, which started on 11 January 2016 and was due to finish on 15 October 2017. The tuition fees were listed as $31,000 with no fees prepaid.
On 6 July 2016, the applicant’s agent provided various scanned documents by email, including:
·copies of various CoEs for the applicant;
·statement of academic results to date for his Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree, as at 23 June 2016;
·statement of account from Cambridge International College dated 23 June 2016 showing payments by the applicant made since January 2016 and listing his outstanding fees as $23,305;…
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- [2016] AATA 4082
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CaseChat Overview and Summary
The Tribunal was required to determine if the applicant qualified as an 'eligible higher degree student' and, if not, whether they satisfied the evidentiary requirements outlined in Schedule 5A of the Regulations for the highest assessment level applicable to their course of study. These Schedule 5A requirements broadly relate to English language proficiency, financial capacity, and other prescribed matters. The Tribunal also needed to be satisfied that the applicant genuinely intended to comply with visa conditions and would have access to the funds relied upon to meet financial capacity requirements.
The Tribunal found that the applicant was not an 'eligible higher degree student' for the purposes of clause 573.223(1A). Consequently, the applicant was required to meet the criteria under clause 573.223(2), which mandates providing evidence in accordance with Schedule 5A for the highest assessment level. The Tribunal concluded that the applicant met the criteria under clause 573.223(2)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
The Tribunal remitted the visa application for reconsideration by the Minister, with a direction that the applicant meets the criteria specified in clause 573.223(2)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
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The Tribunal remits the application for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa for reconsideration, with the direction that the applicant meets the following criteria for a Subclass 573 Higher Education Sector visa:·cl.573.223(2)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.Alison MercerMemberATTACHMENT – Extracts from the Migration Regulations 1994Schedule 2: Part 573 (Higher Education Sector)...573.223(1) The Minister is satisfied that the applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student because:(a)the Minister is satisfied that the applicant intends genuinely to stay in Australia temporarily, having regard to:(i)the applicant’s circumstances; and(ii)the applicant’s immigration history; and(iii)if the applicant is a minor — the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the applicant; and(iv)any other relevant matter; and(b)the applicant meets the requirements of subclause (1A) or (2).(1A)If the applicant is, and was, at the time of application, an eligible higher degree student who has a confirmation of enrolment in each course of study for which the applicant is an eligible higher degree student:(a)the applicant gives the Minister evidence that the applicant has:(i)a level of English language proficiency that satisfies the applicant’s eligible education provider; and(ii)educational qualifications required by the eligible education provider; and(b)the Minister is satisfied that the applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student, having regard to:(i)the stated intention of the applicant to comply with any conditions subject to which the visa is granted; and(ii)any other relevant matter; and(c)the Minister is satisfied that, while the applicant holds the visa, the applicant will have sufficient funds to meet:(i)the costs and expenses required to support the applicant during the proposed stay in Australia; and(ii)the costs and expenses required to support each member (if any) of the applicant’s family unit.(2)If subclause 573.223(1A) does not apply:(a)the applicant gives the Minister evidence in accordance with the requirements mentioned in Schedule 5A for the highest assessment level for the applicant; and(b)the Minister is satisfied that the applicant is a genuine applicant for entry and stay as a student, having regard to:(i)the stated intention of the applicant to comply with any conditions subject to which the visa is granted; and(ii)any other relevant matter; and(c)the Minister is satisfied that, while the applicant holds the visa, the applicant will have access to the funds demonstrated or declared in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 5A relating to the applicant’s financial capacity.…Schedule 5A: Part 573…Division 3 - Requirements for assessment level 3 Clause 5A507 English language proficiency[5A507] (1) The applicant must give evidence that one of the following applies:(a) the applicant:(i) will not undertake an ELICOS before commencing his or her principal course; and(ii) achieved, in an IELTS test that was taken less than 2 years before the date of the application, an Overall Band Score of at least 6.0 or the required score in an English language proficiency test that is specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister under clause 5A102;(aa) the applicant has:(i) achieved, in an IELTS test that was taken less than 2 years before the time of making the application, an Overall Band Score of at least 5.5 or the required score in an English language proficiency test that is specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister under clause 5A102; and(ii) enrolled in a foundation course before commencing the applicant’s principal course;(b) the applicant:(i) will undertake an ELICOS of no more than 30 weeks duration before commencing his or her principal course; and(ii) achieved, in an IELTS test that was taken less than 2 years before the date of the application, an Overall Band Score of at least 5.0 or the required score in an English language proficiency test that is specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister under clause 5A102;(c) the applicant:(i) is fully funded; and(ii) has a level of English language proficiency that satisfies his or her proposed education provider; and(iii) if the applicant is to undertake an ELICOS before commencing his or her principal course — will undertake an ELICOS of no more than 30 weeks duration;(d) the applicant had, less than 2 years before the date of the application:(i) successfully completed the requirements for a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, in a course that was conducted:(A) in Australia; and(B) in English; or(ii) successfully completed the requirements for a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, in a course that:(A) is specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this sub-subparagraph; and(B) was conducted outside Australia; and(C) was conducted in English; or(iii) as the holder of a student visa — successfully completed a substantial part of a course (other than a foundation course) that:(A) was conducted in English; and(B) was leading to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV level or higher; or(iv) successfully completed a substantial part of a course that:(A) is specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this sub-subparagraph; and(B) was conducted outside Australia; and(C) was conducted in English; and(D) was leading to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV level or higher; or(v) successfully completed a foundation course that was conducted:(A) in Australia; and (B) in English; or(vi) successfully completed a course in foundation studies that:(A) is specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this sub-subparagraph; and(B) was conducted outside Australia; and(C) was conducted in English;(e) the applicant has:(i) a level of English language proficiency that satisfies the applicant’s proposed education provider; and(ii) at least 5 years of study in English undertaken in 1 or more of the following countries:(A) Australia;(B) Canada;(C) New Zealand;(D) South Africa;(E) the Republic of Ireland;(F) the United Kingdom;(G) the United States of America.[5A507] (2) For subclause (1), an applicant is not required to give evidence of English language proficiency if:(a) the application was made outside Australia; and(b) the applicant:(i) provides a certificate of enrolment in a course that has been specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument under subregulation 1.44(2) (the specified course); and(ii) will not undertake any other course before commencing the specified course.Clause 5A508 Financial capacity[5A508] (1) The applicant must give, in accordance with this clause:(a) evidence that the applicant has funds from an acceptable source that are sufficient to meet the following expenses for the first 12 months:(i) course fees;(ii) living costs;(iii) school costs; and(aa) a declaration by the applicant stating that he or she has access to funds from an acceptable source that are sufficient to meet course fees, living costs and school costs for the remainder of the applicant’s proposed stay in Australia after the first 12 months; and(b) evidence that the applicant has funds from an acceptable source that are sufficient to meet travel costs; and(c) evidence that the regular income of any individual (including the applicant) providing funds to the applicant was sufficient to accumulate the level of funding being provided by that individual.[5A508] (1A) If the applicant is:(a) fully funded; or(b) an applicant:(i) who is not funded, wholly or partly, by:(A) the Commonwealth Government, or the government of a State or Territory; or(B) the government of a foreign country; or(C) a multilateral agency; and(ii) who proposes to undertake a course of study that is, or courses of study that are together, of a duration of less than 12 months; and(iii) for whom, if applying in Australia, the proposed period of stay will result in the applicant’s total period of lawful stay in Australia being less than 12 months; or(c) the subject of an arrangement by which the course fees, living costs and travel costs for the primary person’s full period, assessed for the primary person alone, will be met by:(i) a provincial or state government in a foreign country, with the written support of the government of that country; or(ii) an organisation specified in a legislative instrument made by the Minister for this paragraph;the applicant must give evidence that the applicant has access to funds that are sufficient to support each member of the applicant’s family unit who is not a family applicant.[5A508] (2) In this clause:financial support, from an applicant’s proposed education provider, means:(a) a scholarship that:(i) is awarded on the basis of merit and an open selection process; and(ii) is awarded to a student who is enrolled in a course leading to a Certificate IV qualification or a higher qualification; and(iii) is awarded to the greater of:(A) not more than 10% of overseas students in a course intake; and(B) not more than 3 overseas students in a course intake; or(b) a waiver of the applicant’s course fees carried out in the following circumstances:(i) the applicant is part of an exchange program that involves:(A) a formal agreement between an education provider and an education institution in a foreign country; and(B) the reciprocal waiver of course fees as part of that agreement;(ii) the applicant proposes to study full-time;(iii) the applicant’s proposed studies will be credited to a course undertaken by the applicant in the applicant’s home country.funds from an acceptable source means one or more of the following:(a) if the applicant:(i) has successfully completed at least 75% of the requirements for his or her principal course; and(ii) has applied for the visa in order to complete the course; and(iii) does not propose to undertake any further course;a money deposit held by an acceptable individual;(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply — a money deposit that an acceptable individual has held for at least the 3 months immediately before the date of the application;(c) a loan from a financial institution made to, and held in the name of, an acceptable individual;(d) a loan from the government of the applicant’s home country;(e) financial support from:(i) the applicant’s proposed education provider; or(ii) the Commonwealth Government, or the government of a State or Territory; or(iii) the government of a foreign country; or(iv) a corporation that:(A) conducts commercial activities outside the country in which it is based; and(B) employs the applicant in a role in relation to which the applicant’s principal course is of direct relevance; or(v) a multilateral agency; or(vi) a provincial or state government in a foreign country, provided with the written support of the government of that country; or(vii) an organisation specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this subparagraph; or(viii) an acceptable non-profit organisation.Clause 5A509 Other requirements[5A509] The applicant must give evidence that:(a) he or she has successfully completed secondary schooling to the year 12 level (or its equivalent); or(b) he or she:(i) has successfully completed secondary schooling to the year 11 level (or its equivalent); and(ii) has successfully completed in Australia a foundation course; or(c) he or she:(i) has successfully completed secondary schooling to the year 11 level (or its equivalent); and(ii) has a certificate of enrolment in a foundation course that is to be undertaken in Australia before commencing the applicant’s principal course; or(d) he or she:(i) has successfully completed secondary schooling to the year 11 level (or its equivalent); and(ii) has successfully completed a course in foundation studies that:(A) is specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this sub-subparagraph; and(B) was conducted outside Australia; or(e) he or she has successfully completed a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV level or higher in a course that was conducted in Australia; or(f) he or she has a certificate of enrolment in a course that:(i) leads to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV level or higher; and(ii) is to be undertaken in Australia before commencing the applicant’s principal course; or(g) he or she has successfully completed a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV level or higher in a course that:(i) is specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing for this subparagraph; and(ii) was conducted outside Australia.