Over the past year, Australia has recalibrated its student visa risk assessment framework, and several South Asian countries, including Nepal, have seen a shift in their assessment level. Nepal is now categorised as a Level 3 country under Australia’s student visa assessment settings. While this has raised concern among students and parents, it is important to understand what this classification actually means, how it is assessed, and what students can do to respond wisely.

How Australia’s Student Visa Assessment Works

Australia assesses student visa risk using a holistic, data-driven model. Rather than focusing only on individual applicants, the Department of Home Affairs looks at broader patterns linked to source countries, education sectors, and providers. Assessment levels are influenced by historical visa outcomes and post-arrival behaviour of students from a particular country.

A higher assessment level does not mean visas will stop being granted. It does, however, mean stricter scrutiny, stronger evidence requirements, and a greater emphasis on Genuine Student (GS) intent, financial credibility, and academic progression.

Australia’s approach is not arbitrary: it is guided by one of the most comprehensive international education regulatory frameworks in the world: the ESOS Act (Education Services for Overseas Students Act). This legislation governs how international students must be treated, how education providers operate, and how education agents are expected to act ethically and responsibly. Very few countries have an act of this depth dedicated solely to protecting international students.

Why Has Nepal Moved to a Higher Risk Level?

While recent findings of fraudulent documentation in some student visa applications have drawn attention, this is only one part of a much broader picture. Australia considers multiple behavioural and systemic indicators when adjusting assessment levels.

Key contributing factors include:

·       Student retention and progression issues, such as frequent course changes

·       Downward academic movement, for example, shifting from degree-level programs to diplomas without strong justification

·       Excessive work hours beyond visa conditions

·       Post-study behaviour that does not align with the original study purpose

·       High rates of sector switching, particularly moving away from the nominated field of study

·       Non-compliance by some education providers or agents

·       External country factors, including political instability, limited domestic employment opportunities, and economic pressures in the home country

When these patterns appear consistently across a student cohort, the country’s overall risk profile is affected; regardless of how genuine many individual students may be.

What This Means for Nepali Students

For Nepali students, a Level 3 status means preparation matters more than ever. Applications must clearly demonstrate:

·       A genuine academic progression

·       Strong alignment between past education, chosen course, and future goals

·       Clear financial capacity

·       A well-articulated Genuine Student statement

·       An understanding of visa conditions and post-study obligations

Shortcuts, poor counselling, or misaligned study choices can now have serious consequences: not just for individual applicants, but for the wider Nepali student community.

Education Park’s Commitment to Ethical & Responsible Counselling

At Education Park, we firmly believe that quality counselling is the foundation of sustainable student mobility. We do not treat student visas as transactional outcomes, but as long-term academic and life decisions.

Our counselling approach is grounded in:

·       Genuine Student intent and visa compliance

·       Course selection aligned with academic background and career goals

·       Ethical documentation practices

·       Transparent communication with students and parents

Our team includes QEAC-certified counsellors, with over 21 years of combined international education experience. We are proud to be recognised internationally as Highly Commended Education Agency of the Year 2020 at the prestigious PIE Awards in the UK: an acknowledgment of our commitment to integrity, quality, and student-centric service.

Looking Ahead

Nepal’s Level 3 status is not a dead end, it is a reminder. A reminder that international education requires responsibility from students, agents, institutions, and governments alike. With the right guidance, transparent processes, and informed decision-making, genuine Nepali students will continue to succeed in Australia. 

At Education Park, we remain committed to doing things the right way; because the future of our students, and the credibility of our education system, depends on it.