Australia Tightens Student Visa Processing: How It Impacts Indian Applicants

Australia has introduced Ministerial Direction 115 (MD 115), reshaping how student visas are prioritised and processed. From 14 November 2025, applications will be assessed in new tiers based on the university a student applies to — slowing down approvals for thousands of international applicants, including a significant number from India. The move comes after a sharp spike in student arrivals, pressure on Australia’s housing market, and growing scrutiny of visa misuse. Here’s what MD 115 means for processing timelines, university categorisation, and the financial implications for Indian families planning to study abroad.