Biometric requirements expanding for student visas

From 31 May 2018, student visa applicants who apply in countries included in the offshore biometric program will be required to provide biometric identifiers.

What countries need to provide biometric identifiers?

A detailed list of the locations that require collection of fingerprints and facial images is available on DHA’s website.

Key source countries for ELICOS providers to be aware of are:

  • Colombia
  • France
  • Hong Kong
  • Malaysia
  • Nepal
  • Peru
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Turkey
  • Vietnam 

Please check DHA’s website to see them all.

Is the list of countries where applicants need to provide biometrics likely to expand?

Yes. As more countries enable biometric collection then the requirement to provide this data will expand to those countries.

Is anyone exempt from providing biometrics?

People travelling on official or diplomatic travel documents, who will be representing their home country in Australia, may not need to provide biometrics.

A partial exemption is provided for these groups:

  • If under five years of age, only a facial image is collected
  • If a person is incapable and physically unable to provide a fingerprint scan, DHA can collect just a facial image.

Exemptions where an applicant claims they are unable to attend an AVAC or ABCC due to violence or civil disturbances, will be considered on a case by case basis.

Do online applicants need to provide biometrics?

If applying in Australia: applicants do not have to provide their photograph and fingerprints unless DHA ask them to.

If applying from outside Australia: it will depend on whether the country the applicant is in is one of the countries included in the biometrics programme.

What biometrics do visa applicants need to provide?

Biometrics are collected using a quick, discreet and non-intrusive process that captures a facial image with a digital camera and a 10-digit fingerprint scan with a digital fingerprint scanner.

How is this information collected?

Student visa applicants in participating countries, who are required to provide biometrics, will be sent a letter shortly after they have lodged their application. These applicants will need to attend an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) or Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) in person. A student can find the details of AVACs or ABCCs in their country on DHA’s website.

Who pays for the biometric scans?

The visa applicant will need to for the costs of the scans.

How much does this cost?

AVACs and ABCCs charge a service fee covering a range of services including biometric collection. These fees will differ between participating countries. For more information regarding these fees, students will need to check the website of the AVAC or ABCC provider in their country.

How will the biometric data be stored and handled?

Facial images and fingerprint scans are stored on secure departmental databases. Only authorised officers under the Migration Act 1958 (the Act), as regulated by the Privacy Act 1988, can access the biometrics of applicants.

For permitted purposes under the Act, the Department can share fingerprints and facial image of applicants with certain Australian Government Departments and agencies, in addition to international organisations and countries. This includes for the purpose of verifying identity, checking whether a client has effective protection in another country, combating identity fraud or determining if the client has a criminal history.

English Australia comments:

We flagged our concerns about this further integrity measure at the recent Education Visa Consultative Committee meeting and through other dialogues with the DHA.

We would like to hear from you after DHA implement this change so we can measure the impact and take action if appropriate.