Australia is enforcing tougher visa rules for foreign students, aiming to reduce migration and address housing and rental market tightness. English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increased, and a new “genuine student test” will be introduced. The government plans to tighten rules for students, potentially halving the migrant intake over two years.
Australia will begin enforcing tougher visa rules for foreign students this week as official data showed migration hit another record high, which is likely to further exacerbate an already tight rental market.
From Saturday, English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increased, while the government will get the power to suspend education providers from recruiting international students if they repeatedly break rules.
“The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the migration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited,” Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement.
A new “genuine student test” will be introduced to further crack down on international students who look to come to Australia primarily to work, while the imposition of “no further stay” conditions will be used on more visitor visas.
The moves follow a raft of actions last year to close off COVID-era concessions introduced by the former government, including unrestricted working hours for international students. The government at the time said rules would be tightened for students that could halve its migrant intake over two years.
Australia boosted its annual migration numbers in 2022 to help businesses recruit staff to fill shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic brought strict border controls, and kept foreign students and workers out for nearly two years.
But the sudden influx of foreign workers and students has exacerbated pressure on an already tight rental market.
Date released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed net immigration rose 60% to a record 548,800 in the year to Sept. 30, 2023, higher than the 518,000 people in the year ending June 2023.
Overall, Australia’s population rose 2.5% – the fastest pace on record – to 26.8 million people in the year to last September.
The record migration – driven by students from India, China and Philippines – has expanded labour supply and restrained wage pressures, but it exacerbated an already tight housing market where rental vacancies hovered at record lows and elevated construction costs restricted new supply.
O’Neil said the government’s actions since September have led to a decline in migration levels, with recent international student visa grants down by 35% on the previous year.
The Australian government has recently announced significant changes to the student visa program, aimed at ensuring the integrity and sustainability of the country’s education system. These changes are set to impact prospective international students considering Australia as a study destination. Under the new regulations, greater emphasis will be placed on the genuine temporary entrant requirement, financial capacity, English language proficiency, and a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily for the purpose of study.
One of the key alterations is the heightened scrutiny of a student’s financial capacity to support themselves during their studies in Australia. This enhanced focus on financial ability seeks to guarantee that students have adequate resources to cover their tuition fees, living expenses, and other associated costs for the duration of their stay. Furthermore, stricter English language proficiency standards will be enforced to ensure that students have the necessary linguistic skills to effectively engage with their education and daily life in Australia.
The new rules also emphasize the importance of a genuine temporary entrant criterion, which requires students to demonstrate a sincere intention to remain in Australia temporarily for study purposes. This provision aims to deter individuals from exploiting the student visa system as a means to gain de facto permanent residency. By prioritizing the authenticity and clarity of applicants’ study plans, the Australian government endeavors to maintain the credibility and fairness of the visa program.
Given these changes, it is essential for prospective international students to be well-informed and prepared when applying for a student visa to Australia. It is recommended that individuals thoroughly review and understand the updated requirements, ensuring that their applications align with the new regulations. By doing so, they can enhance their prospects of a successful visa outcome and a rewarding educational experience in Australia.
Source: ARY NEWS
Australia is enforcing stricter student visa rules, including higher English language requirements and a genuine student test, to reduce migration levels and address the tight rental market. The government aims to crack down on international students primarily seeking work and has the power to suspend education providers for rule violations. The record high migration has exacerbated pressure on the rental market, leading to a 60% rise in net immigration. Despite the influx of foreign workers and students, recent government actions have led to a decline in migration levels and a 35% decrease in international student visa grants.
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