By Devendra Raj Regmi - Regional Director of Nepal

The landscape of Australian student visas has seen a major shift following the introduction of Ministerial Direction No. 111 (MD111) by the Department of Home Affairs in December 2024. This change reshaped how student visa applications are prioritised, moving away from factors like nationality or application timing, and focusing instead on provider allocations. In other words, the institution you apply to now plays a key role in how quickly your visa may be processed.

MD111 Background and Analysis

In 2025, this system has created a distinct trend throughout the academic year:

  • February–April: Universities have clearly led the way. With larger allocations and early semester intakes, most visa approvals have gone to university students. Submitting well-prepared applications early in the cycle has proven essential for success.
  • July–September: The momentum continued for universities and extended to private higher education providers. Institutions with remaining allocation space experienced faster processing, while those nearing their quotas saw standard timelines return.
  • September–October: Vocational Education and Training (VET) applications followed once university and private higher education quotas were met. Although VET remains a valuable option for hands-on learning, visa processing has been noticeably slower in comparison.

The introduction of MD111 reflects a clear intent from the Australian Government: to align visa processing with education quality and compliance. This prioritisation favors universities and high-performing providers, ensuring that trusted institutions receive faster decisions while maintaining rigorous oversight across the sector.

For Nepalese students and education counsellors, the message is straightforward. Plan early, apply through reputable institutions, and always check a provider’s MD111 allocation status before submitting an application. Understanding these new priorities can make a significant difference in ensuring smooth and timely visa outcomes.

As we continue guiding our students toward their global education goals, staying informed and proactive remains the key to success in this evolving system.

How Right and Associates is Analyzing This Change

international education planning. Our analysis of the 2025 visa trends clearly shows that understanding provider prioritisation is now just as important as selecting the right course.

Our regional teams across Nepal, India, and other key markets have been reviewing real-time data on visa grants, provider allocations, and policy updates. This data-driven approach helps us guide students toward opportunities where visa outcomes are most favorable and aligned with their academic goals.

We closely monitor which universities and higher education providers are receiving priority under MD111 and adjust our counselling strategies accordingly. By focusing on institutions with available allocation space and strong compliance records, we aim to help students avoid delays and improve their chances of approval.

Beyond numbers, our analysis also considers the broader policy direction. The shift toward rewarding education quality reflects Australia’s ongoing commitment to high standards. For our students, this means more accountability and greater transparency in choosing where to study.

As a trusted education and migration consultancy in Nepal, India and Australia, Right and Associates remains committed to helping students and parents navigate these evolving policies with confidence. Through proactive research, institutional partnerships, and expert counselling, we ensure every student is guided by accurate insights, not assumptions.

What’s Next – MD115 and the Upcoming Changes

It’s important for students and education counsellors to stay ready for ongoing changes. The Australian Government has already announced that Ministerial Direction 115 (MD115) will replace MD111, coming into effect from 14 November 2025.​

MD115 will continue prioritizing visa processing by education providers’ allocation progress, but it introduces a new three-tier system:

  • Priority 1: For providers using less than 80% of their National Planning Level (NPL) allocations—these get the fastest processing.
  • Priority 2: For those above 80% but not exceeding their NPL. Applications fall into a ‘middle lane’ with standard timelines.
  • Priority 3: For providers exceeding their quota, where visa processing will be the slowest.​

These changes align with the 2026 national planning and place further emphasis on integrity, sustainability, and balanced growth within the international education sector.

Stay tuned—our next blog will provide a detailed comparison between MD111 and MD115, breaking down what’s new and what it means for your Australian study plans.