MD115 Explained: How Australia’s New Student Visa Policy Impacts International Students (2025 Guide)

Understanding MD115 – The New Australian Student Visa Instruction

Australia has introduced a new guideline called MD115, reshaping how and when international students should lodge their student visa (Subclass 500) applications.
This policy aims to ensure universities receive genuine, well-prepared students, while reducing refusals caused by improper documentation or late submissions.

In this blog, Educircle breaks down MD115 in simple terms and provides a practical visa application calendar to help students plan effectively.

What Is MD115?

MD115 is a new immigration instruction issued by the Australian Government to improve the integrity and quality of student visa applications.
It does not reduce visa opportunities, but instead:

• streamlines the visa submission timeline,

• strengthens compliance requirements, and

• encourages better academic and financial preparedness.

This ensures universities can assess genuine applicants more confidently.

Why Was MD115 Introduced?

The policy was created to address several challenges in the international education system:

• Rising number of incomplete or poorly prepared visa applications

• Increased visa refusal rates in certain countries

• Need for stronger Genuine Student (GS) and GTE assessment

• Universities demanding higher-quality recruitment

• Ensuring students understand financial, academic, and settlement responsibilities

MD115 ultimately supports serious, genuine applicants with clear study intentions.

How MD115 Affects Visa Chances

The new policy significantly impacts the timing and quality of visa submissions. Students who follow MD115 correctly can expect:

1. Higher visa success rates due to stronger documentation and proper timing

2. Priority processing for early, well-prepared applications

3. More detailed GS/GTE checks by universities

4. Reduced refusal risk when applications are lodged within the official window

Proper planning is now essential.

Educircle’s Recommended Visa Lodgement Calendar (2025–2026)

To help students avoid common mistakes, Educircle has aligned its internal compliance system with MD115.
Below is your updated visa application roadmap:

For February Intake

• Visa applications should be submitted only after 15 November of the previous year.
  Applying earlier may lead to compliance issues or unnecessary delays.

For July Intake

• All visa applications must be lodged before 15 June.
  Submitting after this date may fall into restricted windows and affect visa chances.

1 July – 30 September

“Limited Visa Application Period”

During this time:

• Only Priority-1 universities should be considered

• Additional documentation checks are required

• Only applicants with strong profiles should proceed

1 October – 15 November

“No Visa Application Period”

• No visa applications should be lodged during this period

• Students should focus on documentation, financials, GS/GTE preparation, and university communication

What Students Should Do Under MD115

To maximise success under the new policy, students should:

• Prepare all documents 2–3 months before the visa window opens

• Apply to universities with strong compliance and clear GS/GTE criteria

• Avoid last-minute submissions

• Work with trusted counsellors to ensure they meet academic and financial readiness

This proactive approach ensures smooth processing and fewer delays.

How Educircle Helps Students Navigate MD115

Educircle has redesigned its visa processing strategy to fully align with MD115, offering students a structured and compliant pathway to Australia:

• Strict internal compliance checks following MD115 guidelines

• Accurate visa lodgement planning based on intake timelines

• Complete GS/GTE document preparation

• Direct communication with universities for faster processing

• Full support with financial, academic, and SOP documentation

Our goal is simple: help students lodge at the right time with the right documents.

Conclusion: MD115 Supports Genuine, Prepared Students

The MD115 policy is a positive change for students who plan properly and apply with strong documentation.
With Educircle’s expert guidance, students can confidently follow the correct timeline, meet all compliance requirements, and significantly improve their visa success rate.

Want personalised guidance for your Australian student visa?

Book a consultation with Educircle today and stay fully compliant with MD115.