Student Visa Integrity Alert: What Education Providers Need to Know (November 2025)

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has released a Student Visa Integrity Alert for education providers, highlighting emerging risks in the international student visa space. These issues affect both students and institutions, and the Department is urging providers to take stronger steps to protect the integrity of the Student Visa Program. 

Need help understanding how these updates may affect your plans? Reach out to the Legacy Migration team and we’ll guide you through it. 

Why This Alert Was Issued 

The Department continues to monitor the student visa system and has identified several concerning trends involving both students and agents. These patterns show attempts to take advantage of Australia’s immigration processes. 

1. Fraudulent Passport Details 

There have been reports of applicants using fake or altered passport details to obtain Confirmations of Enrolment (CoEs). This has affected even major universities, including Group of Eight institutions. These cases bypass proper checks and weaken the integrity of the program. 

2. Misuse of the Evidence Level (EL) Update 

Some groups are presenting the September 2025 EL update as a sign that Australia is becoming more lenient toward non-genuine applicants. This is incorrect and misrepresents how the framework works and what providers must uphold. 

3. Agent Incentives Leading to Poor Applications 

Some agents are reportedly being incentivized by certain institutions to submit applications even without proper documents, prioritizing quantity over quality. This leads to visa refusals, high attrition, and long-term risks for providers. 

4. Rising Cases in South Asian Markets 

These issues are being seen mostly in fast-growing South Asian markets, although the risks exist elsewhere too. 

The Department stresses that maintaining visa integrity protects students, institutions, and Australia’s reputation. 

What Education Providers Are Expected to Do 

Education providers (EPs) are expected to: 

• Recruit genuine students 

• Ensure students understand visa conditions 

• Stay updated on policies and tightening compliance requirements 

• Lodge complete and accurate applications with verified documents 

  
  

Stronger Checks Before Issuing a CoE 

EPs are strongly advised to verify all key documents, especially identity, English, and financial evidence before issuing a CoE. 

Identity Checks  

Providers should: 

• Require students to submit their passport at the time of application 

• Ensure the passport will be valid at visa lodgement or travel 

• Request the passport before issuing the CoE 

• Cross-check passport details with all supporting documents 

• Conduct video interviews where possible to confirm identity and motivation 

  
  

English & Financial Checks 

Even with streamlined Evidence Levels: 

• Students must still meet English and financial requirements 

• The Department may request evidence at any time 

• Providers and agents should have verified documents before advising students to proceed 

  
  

Genuine Student Requirement 

Education Providers must assess students’ intentions carefully and enroll only those who genuinely plan to study. 

If you're unsure whether your documents meet the new expectations, Legacy Migration can help review them before you move forward. Contact us for guidance. 

Monitoring Enrolment and Student Outcomes 

Providers should monitor: 

• Enrolment trends 

• Signs of disengagement 

• Attrition rates 

• Agent behavior and performance 

A high attrition rate is a strong indicator of poor recruitment practices and may trigger further scrutiny. 

Risks to Education Providers  

Accepting non-genuine students or fraudulent documents leads to: 

• Visa refusals 

• Processing delays 

• Visa cancellations 

• Discontinuation of studies 

• Excessive provider transfers 

If not addressed early, these issues can damage an institution’s Evidence Level, reputation, and ability to recruit students in key markets. 

Legacy Insight Corner 

At Legacy Migration and Study Direction, we see this alert as a clear reminder of the importance of genuine recruitment and transparent processes. These standards not only protect the sector they protect the students who rely on accurate guidance. 

Our team continues to priorities: 

• Careful and responsible pre-screening 

• Honest, realistic advice 

• Proper document checks 

• Guidance tailored specifically to genuine students 

  
  

We believe that cutting corners only harms students in the long run. By working closely with applicants, institutions, and partners, we ensure the process is smooth, compliant, and aligned with current Department expectations. 

Maintaining integrity, verifying carefully, and recruiting genuinely, these steps are key to protecting trust in Australia’s education system and ensuring every student’s journey succeeds. 

Planning to study in Australia? Message LMSD today and let’s make sure your application is strong, compliant, and ready for success. 

The information, updates, news, and advice provided are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalised guidance. For accurate advice regarding your specific migration case, we invite you to reach out to us directly by sending a message through this link: https://www.legacymigration.com.au/take-your-first-step-to-living-working-or-studying-in-australia

Migration Agents Registration Number: 1797357

QEAC Number: S041

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