Ministerial Direction 115 (MD 115) - Processing Offshore Student (SC500) Visa Applications
Changes are coming to processing of offshore Student (Subclass 500) Visa applications with the introduction of Ministerial Direction 115 (MD 115), which revokes and replaces Ministerial Direction 111 (MD 111). MD 115 will come into effect on 14 November 2025. This new directive establishes a three-tier priority system designed to streamline processing Student Visa (SC 500) applications, which can affect processing times.
What is the Ministerial Direction 115 (MD 115) - Three-Tier Priority System for Student Visa (Subclass 500)?
The MD 115 categorises offshore Student (Subclass 500) Visa applications into 3 priorities. These priorities are arranged as follows:
Priority 1: Highest Priority - aim to process in 1 to 4 weeks from lodgement
School students
Non-award sector students (e.g., short-term exchange)
Standalone ELICOS students
Students enrolled with a TAFE provider (or specific TAFE courses for Charles Darwin University)
Students in recognised Pilot training courses
Postgraduate research (PhD) students
Students sponsored by DFAT, Department of Defence, foreign, or Australian government scholarships
Transnational education students
Students from the Pacific and Timor-Leste
Subsequent entrants whose application includes a minor (child under 18)
Priority 2: Medium Priority - aim to process in 5 to 8 weeks from lodgement
Higher Education and Vocational Education Training (VET) students whose providers have reached their prioritisation threshold in 2025 (80% of their New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) allocation).
Subsequent entrants without a minor.
Priority 3: Lowest Priority – aim to process in 9 to 12 weeks from lodgement
Higher Education and VET students whose providers have exceeded their upper threshold (NOSC allocation by 15%).
The MD 115 applies to offshore Student (SC 500) Visa applications lodged on or after 14 November 2025. For pending SC500 visa applications lodged prior to 4 November 2025, MD 111 will continue to apply.
Related:
Understand English Language Proficiency Requirement for Australian Visa
Work Permission for Dependent Family Members of Temporary Visa Holders
What Happens to Your Student Visa (SC500) If You Enrol in a Non-CRICOS Course?
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help You?
If you have any queries regarding your student visa (Subclass 500) journey, contact us. Book a Migration Planning Session with one of our immigration lawyers or Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310-5230 or emailing us to book a time at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.
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