Australia To Toughen Student Visa Rules Amid Record High Migration

– Australia responds to record migration by tightening student visa rules.
– Changes include stricter English language requirements and penalties for rule-breaking education providers.
– Recent interventions have already led to a decrease in migration levels.

Eko hot blog reports that Australia is set to implement stricter visa regulations for foreign students, aiming to curb migration amid record-high numbers.

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The move, scheduled to take effect this week, comes amidst concerns over escalating pressure on the rental market.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil affirmed the government’s commitment, stating, “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.”

Beginning this Saturday, English language proficiency requirements for student and graduate visas will be elevated.

Additionally, authorities will gain the authority to suspend education providers found repeatedly violating regulations regarding international student recruitment.

A new “genuine student test” will be introduced to deter individuals primarily seeking employment opportunities in Australia.

Furthermore, “no further stay” conditions will be imposed on a broader range of visitor visas.

Last year, measures were introduced to revoke COVID-era concessions, including unrestricted working hours for international students, with projections suggesting a potential halving of migrant intake over two years.

Australia had ramped up migration numbers in 2022 to address labor shortages following strict border controls amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept foreign students and workers out for nearly two years.

However, the surge in foreign workers and students has intensified strain on the rental market.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a 60% increase in net immigration, reaching a record 548,800 individuals in the year ending Sept. 30, 2023.

Driven primarily by students from India, China, and the Philippines, this influx has expanded the labor pool, mitigating wage pressures.

However, it has exacerbated challenges in the housing sector, with rental vacancies at historic lows and soaring construction costs limiting new supply.