Study Abroad

Australia–Nepal Assessment Level Changed from AL2 to AL3: What It Means for Nepali Students

2026-01-28 15:17:16

The Department of Home Affairs, Australia, has recently updated its student visa assessment framework, and Nepal has now been moved from Assessment Level 2 (AL2) to Assessment Level 3 (AL3). This change has important implications for Nepali students planning to study in Australia.

What Is Assessment Level?

Assessment Levels are used by Australian immigration authorities to evaluate visa risk based on a student’s country of origin and education provider. A higher assessment level means:

• Greater visa scrutiny

• Higher financial and documentation requirements

• Increased importance of genuine student evidence

What Does the Shift to AL3 Mean for Nepali Students?

With Nepal now under Assessment Level 3, student visa applicants will face:

• Higher visa risk assessment

• More supporting documents required

• Stricter financial evidence

• Strong emphasis on Genuine Student (GS) criteria

• Careful review of academic background and study gap

This does not mean visas will not be granted, but applications must be stronger, more transparent, and well-prepared.

Key Documents That May Be Required

Nepali students may now need to provide:

• Strong academic records

• Clear study progression and career plan

• Genuine financial documents (bank balance, income sources)

• Evidence of English proficiency

• Well-written Genuine Student Statement

• Proof of ties to Nepal

Should Students Be Worried?

Not at all — but proper guidance is now more important than ever. Students who prepare their documents carefully and apply with the right strategy still have a good chance of success.

How Next Education Foundation Can Help

At Next Education Foundation, we:

• Provide updated visa guidance based on current assessment levels

• Help students prepare strong documentation

• Assist in writing effective Genuine Student statements

• Offer honest profile assessment before application

Final Advice

Due to the change to Assessment Level 3, Nepali students are strongly advised to:

• Start their application process early

• Avoid incomplete or weak documentation

• Seek professional counselling before applying

If you are planning to study in Australia, now is the time to be extra prepared.

📍 Visit Next Education Foundation, Pokhara
📞 Contact us for updated counselling and visa support