Australia New Visa Rules: Raise Concerns Among Students

Australia has implemented stricter immigration rules, affecting international students. As per the latest Australia visa news, immigration measures to prevent 'visa hop' have raised fears among international students that they may be 'left out' of the country's educational and career opportunities. Australia's immigration measures to prevent visa hop are part of the government's efforts to tackle visa exploitation and visa misuse. Let's understand some of Australia new visa rules and changes made by the government and the reason behind the implementation.

1. Understanding the Changes

The latest Australia visa updates changes include measures to prevent 'visa hopping', where temporary immigrants, including students, are at an increased risk of workplace abuse. The Migration review stressed the vulnerability of temporary immigrants and the need for stricter rules to safeguard their rights in the labour market. According to an Economic Times report, Australia's new visa rules are likely to affect students with low English proficiency who are pursuing lower-level VET courses. This adjustment is part of a wider effort to bring immigration policies in line with the country's economic and educational goals. Here are some norms that the Australian government outlined on student visa applications.

• New restrictions on immigrants include higher English proficiency test scores and increased scrutiny on second visa applications for extended stays.
• The required IELTS score for a Temporary Graduate visa will increase from 6.0 to 6.5. For a student visa, the IELTS score requirement increases from 5.5 to 6.0.  
• Introduce a Genuine Student exam to boost genuine candidates and discourage candidates who are looking for work instead of studying.
• For decision-makers, implement two ministerial directions: firstly, emphasis on academic and career development for visa approval, and secondary, prioritise visa processing on the basis of provider risk levels.
• The government has announced a $19 million investment to strengthen the Student Visa Integrity Unit. The unit aims to reduce the abuse of student visas, which are often used to find work in Australia rather than study, as well as the exploitation of international students.
• The government said it would crack down on "visa hopping' that harms the integrity of the system and encourages 'permanent permanence.' Visa hopping is the practice of repeatedly entering and leaving a country in order to prolong one's stay or to evade immigration restrictions.
• The government will impose enhanced screening requirements for international students seeking a new student visa. It will also limit the ability of temporary Graduate visa holders to transfer back to student visa status onshore.
• In order to fill all the gaps, the government has also raised the amount of saving that international students will have to show for visa approval. The requirement has not been indexed since 2019 and should reflect rising living costs. Now, applicants will need to show $24,505 in savings, an increase of 17% from 2022.

 2. Student's Concerns and Challenges

Students are worried about the impact of these changes on their education and career prospects in Australia. Students are concerned about being 'left out' due to the lack of clarity on visa eligibility and the potential difficulties in complying with the revised requirements.

• Language Proficiency Concerns

The new rules focus heavily on English, which can be difficult for students with limited language skills. Many are concerned that the strict language requirements could restrict their access to education, especially in vocational programs.

• Economic Impact on Education Providers

The new rules may also have an impact on the bottom line of Australia's educational institutions. According to the Economic Times, providers of low-level VET courses are likely to suffer. Those that cater to students with limited English proficiency may see a drop in enrolment, which could have a negative impact on their revenue and sustainability.

‍3. Government's Rationale

The Australian government's decision to implement immigration tightening measures is based on the need to protect the integrity of Australia's immigration system and to address visa abuse and exploitation. Australia's proposed immigration tightening measures aim to balance the need to welcome international students with the need to prevent the misuse of immigration pathways for non-educational purposes.
Furthermore, experts believe that due to the continuing student housing Crunch in Australia for 2024 and the surge in Australia's international student enrollment, the Australian government is changing some processes to balance things out. However, implementing strict policy changes every two to three years can create an inhospitable environment for international students. It is believed that the Australian government must make projections for the next 5 to 10 years while regulating these policies. These policies will allow all stakeholders to plan the way forward.

‍4. Seeking Solutions

In response to students' concerns, the Australian government must provide clear guidance and support measures to ensure a seamless transition for those impacted by the rule change. Working together with education providers, government bodies, and students is key to addressing concerns and finding solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Australian universities have appreciated this decision as they believe "this will not only improve the quality of students seeking to study in Australia but also help in ensuring that international students can succeed academically in their chosen programme, make local friends and contacts, and have an overall positive experience," said Abizer Merchant, director (India & Sri Lanka) of Macquarie University, Australia.

To sum up, Australia cracks down on 'visa hop' and tightens immigration regulations. Students are caught in the middle of a never-ending cycle of changes that affect their education and career prospects. The government's goal is to protect Australia's immigration system, but it's important to find a balance that allows international students to access education fairly and equitably. Stakeholder engagement will be critical in tackling these issues and finding solutions to address students' concerns while maintaining Australia's integrity.