The Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) has launched the AAERI Verify Tool, a document verification platform that uses India's DigiLocker to authenticate records submitted by Australia-bound student visa applicants. In this podcast, we speak to AAERI President Nishidhar Bora, who says the new initiative aims to curb document fraud and strengthen the integrity of Australia's international education system. He also notes that while the Australian visa system is among the best in the world, there is room for improvement, particularly regarding a lack of transparency in student visa refusals.
In May 2026, 32,284 student visa applications were lodged and 27,616 visas were granted, translating to a 75.4 per cent grant rate. Of these, 3,541 applications were lodged from India, compared with 5,802 in the same month last year.
"The number of grants in any given month reflects a combination of factors, including the volume of visa applications on hand, the quality of applications lodged, and the timing of processing and decision-making. Monthly grant outcomes can vary throughout the year and should be considered in the context of longer-term trends rather than as an indicator of a single policy or operational change," according to the Department of Home.
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are for general informational purposes only. For advice specific to your personal circumstances, please consult a qualified professional.)
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