EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Migration Act 1958/Migration Regulations 1994

1. This Notice is made under regulation 1.17 and sub paragraph 1.222(1)(a)(ii)40A of Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).

2.                  Regulation 1.17 of the Regulations provides that the Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, specify matters required by individual provisions of the Regulations to be specified for the purposes of those provisions.  SubRegulation paragraph 1.222(1)(a)(ii)40A provides for the specificiesation a class of persons outside Australia eligible to make an application for a student visa on either Forms 157A or 157E. of the types of courses for each subclass of student visa, except Subclass 576 (AusAID or Defence Sector). 

3.                  The Instrument made under subparagraph 1222(1)(a)(ii) supports the continuing expansion of eVisa services for student visa applicants outside Australia. 

4.                  The purpose of the Instrument is to include citizens of Indonesiato facilitate access to eVisa for student visa applicants who hold an eligible passport specified as Assessment Level 1 from 1 November 2005 under subregulation 1.41(1). in the class of persons eligible to apply for a student visa online, where they make their application through the services of an agent who is party to an agreement with Immigration to use an Internet facility for offshore student visa applications.  

2.5.            The instrument provides access to eVisa across subclasses 570 to 575 for holders of passports from The Instrument also makes clear the expectation that applicants of China, Thailand, India or Indonesia citizenship are eligible to apply online only if they are in their home countryBahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, the United States of America, the United Kingdom (British citizens passport holders only), Singapore, Estonia and Slovenia.  Peru will gain access to eVisa in subclasses 571, 573, 574 and 575.  The Czech Republic and Hungary will gain access to eVisa in subclass 573.The types of courses specified in the Instrument are relevant to the validity of an application for a student visa.  

3.6.            The purpose of the Instrument is to recognise two new courses types in the Vocational Education and Training Sector (subclass 572) - the Vocational Graduate Certificate and the Vocational Graduate Diploma. The relationships between pre-existing course types and subclasses are unchangedas well as maintaining the status quo of the types of courses available in each student visa subclass (except subclass 576).  These new course types are the Vocational Graduate Certificate and the Vocational Graduate Diploma.  Other than including citizens of Indonesiathe citizens of the countries mentioned in 5 above in the class of persons,, the Instrument maintains the existing level of access for the nationalities already specified.   emphasise new courses first, then maintains status quo re: other course types continue to specify the types of courses available in each student visa subclass (except subclass 576) and includes two new course types in the Vocational Education and Training Sector (subclass 572). These courses are the Vocational Graduate Certificate and the Vocational Graduate Diploma. 

4.                  The Instrument instrument operates to specify the types of courses for the corresponding subclass of student visa subclass.

5.7.            Pursuant to section 18 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 consultation is not necessary.  The Instrument instrument is of a minor or machinery nature and does not substantially alter existing arrangements.

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6. The Instrument instrument commences on 15 July August1 November 2005.