Blogs
Australia Student Visa Assessment Levels Updated: 11 Universities Move from Level 1 to Level 2 in October 2026
01 Oct, 2026
Share
Australia Student Visa Assessment Levels Updated: 11 Universities Move from Level 1 to Level 2 in October 2026
Australia’s student visa evidence requirements have changed significantly following the most recent update to the Department of Home Affairs Documentary Evidence Checklist.
Based on a comparison of the Documentary Evidence List results recorded in May 2026 and October 2026, 11 Australian universities have shifted from the category we identified as Level 1 to Level 2.
This change matters for international students planning to lodge a Student visa (subclass 500), as evidence requirements can depend on the combination of the applicant’s passport country and chosen education provider.
11 Universities Changed from Level 1 to Level 2
The following universities showed a change from 13 documentary evidence items in May 2026 to 15 documentary evidence items in October 2026, which has been classified as a change from Level 1 to Level 2 in our comparison:
- University of Wollongong
- Queensland University of Technology
- La Trobe University
- Flinders University
- Western Sydney University
- Edith Cowan University
- CQUniversity Australia
- Southern Cross University
- Victoria University
- The University of Notre Dame Australia
- University of the Sunshine Coast
No university in the reviewed list moved from Level 2 to Level 1 during this comparison period.
Level 1 Universities in October 2026
Based on the October 2026 comparison, the following 18 universities remain in the Level 1 category:
- The University of Melbourne
- The University of New South Wales
- The University of Sydney
- Australian National University
- Monash University
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Western Australia
- Adelaide University
- University of Technology Sydney
- RMIT University
- Macquarie University
- Curtin University
- Deakin University
- Griffith University
- Swinburne University of Technology
- University of Canberra
- Bond University
- Australian Catholic University
Total Level 1 universities in the reviewed list: 18
Level 2 Universities in October 2026
The following 24 universities fall under the Level 2 category in the October 2026 comparison:
- University of Wollongong
- Queensland University of Technology
- The University of Newcastle
- La Trobe University
- University of Tasmania
- Flinders University
- Western Sydney University
- University of Southern Queensland
- Murdoch University
- James Cook University
- Edith Cowan University
- CQ University Australia
- Charles Darwin University
- Southern Cross University
- Victoria University
- Charles Sturt University
- University of New England
- The University of Notre Dame Australia
- Federation University Australia
- Torrens University Australia
- University of Divinity
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Australian University of Theology
- Avondale University
Total Level 2 universities in the reviewed list: 24
What Does an Evidence Level Mean for an Australian Student Visa?
Australia operates the Simplified Student Visa Framework, commonly known as SSVF. Under this system, both the applicant’s country and education provider are assigned evidence levels that help determine the documentary requirements for a Student visa application.
The Department of Home Affairs calculates evidence levels using immigration outcomes, including visa cancellations, fraud-related refusals, other visa refusals, students becoming unlawful non-citizens and subsequent Protection visa applications.
Importantly, an evidence level does not rank a university's academic quality, reputation, or teaching standard.
Does Moving from Level 1 to Level 2 Mean the University Is Risky?
Not necessarily.
A change in evidence level should not be interpreted as a decline in a university's academic quality or reputation. The Department of Home Affairs states that the evidence framework is not connected to the quality of an education provider.
Instead, evidence levels form part of Australia’s immigration risk and documentary evidence framework.
For students, the practical impact can be that different combinations of passport country and education provider may require different evidence, such as financial capacity and English language proficiency.
Could Level 2 Mean More Documents for Your Student Visa?
Potentially, depending on your passport country and individual circumstances.
Under the SSVF, streamlined applicants generally have reduced upfront requirements for financial capacity and English-language evidence. Where regular evidence requirements apply, applicants may be required to provide financial and English-language evidence when lodging their application.
This does not mean every student applying to a Level 2 provider must submit additional documents.
The combination of determines the requirement:
- Your passport country
- Your education provider
- Your course and circumstances
- The Documentary Evidence Checklist applicable when you lodge your visa
Why Students Should Check Again Before Lodging Their Visa
The Department of Home Affairs advises Student visa applicants to check the Documentary Evidence Checklist immediately before submitting their application.
The checklist is routinely updated twice a year, on 31 March and 30 September.
Therefore, a document checklist generated several months before your visa application may no longer reflect the requirements applicable on your actual lodgement date.
If the checklist requires evidence of financial capacity or English language ability, attach the required documents when you submit the visa application. Not providing mandatory evidence can affect the application.
What Should Students Do Now?
If you plan to study in Australia for the 2026 or 2027 intake, avoid relying solely on an older document checklist or your university's previous evidence category.
Before lodging your Student visa application:
- Recheck your university and passport country through the official Home Affairs Documentary Evidence Checklist.
- Review your financial documents and source of funds carefully.
- Ensure your English-language evidence meets the applicable visa requirements.
- Prepare a strong and genuine Student visa application.
- Check the latest requirements again immediately before lodging your visa.
Important Note
The Department of Home Affairs does not publicly publish the individual evidence level assigned to each education provider. The Level 1 and Level 2 categorisation in this article is based on our comparison of Documentary Evidence List outputs observed in May 2026 and October 2026.
Evidence levels are immigration-related indicators and should not be interpreted as rankings of university quality.
Students should always use the official Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool to confirm the evidence required for their individual Student visa application.
Planning to Study in Australia?
With Australian Student visa requirements regularly changing, choosing a university is only one part of preparing a successful study-abroad application.
Hola World Education & Migration can assist students with university selection, admissions, course guidance and Student visa documentation based on their individual profile.
Speak with our team before lodging your Australian Student visa application to understand the latest requirements that may apply to you.
