SYDNEY : According to Australia Today, the changes took effect earlier this month and were issued through the PRISMS system by the Department of Education, applying from January 8, 2026. The revised settings reflect what authorities describe as growing concerns around document integrity, even as Australia continues to position itself as a leading destination for genuine international students.

Under Australia’s Assessment Level (AL) framework, ranging from AL1 (lowest risk) to AL3 (higher risk), countries assigned higher levels face more stringent checks and documentary requirements. An unofficial sector analysis indicates that India, Nepal and Bhutan have been upgraded from AL2 to AL3, while Bangladesh has moved sharply from AL1 to AL3. Sri Lanka has been raised from AL1 to AL2, and Pakistan remains at AL3. The previous update to these levels was issued on September 30, 2025, making the latest revision notably swift.

In a statement accompanying the update, the department said the adjustments were designed to “assist with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia.”

The timing has unsettled education providers and recruitment agents. Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia, warned that frequent changes to assessment levels are creating uncertainty at a critical stage of the academic calendar.

Officials say the decision follows evidence gathered during recent visits to South Asia, where authorities identified a rise in suspected fraudulent financial and academic documents. The aim, they argue, is to safeguard visa integrity while preserving Australia’s reputation for quality education.

International Education Minister Julian Hill has reportedly described Australia as “the least worst country of choice” among the Big Four destinations for international students, the US, UK and Canada, a positioning that officials suggest has prompted tighter filtering of applications.

India, one of Australia’s largest source markets, is among the countries most affected by the move to AL3. While sector experts maintain that genuine students will continue to have pathways to study in Australia, they caution that abrupt policy shifts risk undermining confidence among applicants and providers alike.

Education stakeholders are now awaiting detailed guidance from the Department of Education and Home Affairs on how the new requirements will be implemented, and whether the changes mark a temporary clampdown or a longer-term recalibration of Australia’s student visa risk framework.