Students Applying To University in Australia Told To Withdraw University Applications

Students who have applied to the University of Wollongong and one unnamed university have been told to withdraw their applications as the University of Wollongong universities will be unlikely to meet the new Australia student visa requirements under the new migration strategy. Students have been told by the universities that they will be receiving a full refund of their application fees. Students in India have been warned that the changes for the Australia student visa have not yet been implemented. 

The Australian government has created a Genuine Student Test as part of its strategy to reveal an integrity unit. To apply a “ greater and more targeted scrutiny” to having applications from “high-risk providers”.  

This strategy also presses on two ministerial-level directions. 

The first direction is yet to be introduced by the government. However, this decision will outline important decisions for applications, which include academic and career progressions. Adding to this is the usefulness of their intended study to their future career prospects will also be taken into consideration. 

The second decision will be of the Australian student visa application will be based on a priority level, which will be based on the risk level of the providers. This was supposed to be coming into effect by the end of 2023 in order to support the process for the 2023/24 Australian student visa season.

The plan also states that “Higher risk providers will experience slower processing times as visa decision makers consider the integrity of a provider, as well as the individual student applicants,”. 

The Indian Agency Association AAERI is concerned with the situation and also says that the minor details of the policy have not been announced yet. It is also noted that the Australian student visa processing time is higher than usual, and the rejection rate is also noted to be high. 

AAERI also said “We believe that there is extra scrutiny to applications at this stage,” and also added, “We all are waiting for the implementation of the new migration strategy and finer details of the proposed Genuine Student Test.”

Some sources have also warned the PIE news that immigration officials are reviewing the applications with the new Genuine Student Test even when the legislation not being in place. 

AAERI president Nishi Borra said, “This is not a good practice,” and also added, “Students lose the application fee of almost AUS$735 and another $500-800 in foreign exchange. Students are clearly at a loss. Plus, as education consultants, it puts us on the back foot to advise students on such”. 

A Wollongong University spokesperson said that the Department of Home Affairs and each and every university “aims to ensure each student application to study at an Australian university is genuine”. In conclusion, students will have a tough time trying to overcome this hurdle, however, universities also need to make sure that students do not have a hassle while getting their refund.