Australia has moved India to its highest-risk category (Assessment Level 3) for student visas, effective January 8, 2026. This change, citing "emerging integrity issues" and concerns over documentation, imposes stricter scrutiny and requires more extensive proof of finances and study intent for Indian applicants. Several other South Asian countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, were also moved to this higher risk tier. While officials state the aim is to facilitate genuine students, the mid-cycle policy shift has caused uncertainty within the international education sector regarding processing times and requirements.