Key Points
- Australia to crack down on non-genuine international students
- International students are now required to score at least 6 on the International English Language Tests System (IELTS)
- Australia receives most of its international students from India, China, and Nepal
The Australian government announced that it plans to crack down on the intake of non-genuine international students by raising the English-language proficiency requirements and conducting closer scrutiny of applicants
Sydney-based registered migration agent Rajwant Singh said the decision will impact the influx of international students, including those from India.
"Closer scrutiny could lead to a higher rejection rate for student visas. It will send a message to everyone that Australia is only looking for genuine students," Mr Singh said.
"The government intends to prevent the entry of students using dubious documents and fix the system to meet the overall target of reducing migration numbers," Mr Singh added.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil conceded that the federal government was willing to allow the education sector, which contributes $30 billion a year to the economy and employs 250,000 Australians, to grow at a slower pace.
The government intends to end 'permanent temporariness' by shortening graduate visas and "ending settings that allow graduates to prolong their stay in Australia when they have fewer prospects of becoming permanent residents."
"The government wants students to stop course hopping. Some apply for temporary visas and then go back to student visas to stay in the country," Mr Singh said.
The migration strategy document revealed that international students and graduates make up the largest share of permanent temporary migrants, with 108,000 having lived in Australia for five or more years.
"Many international students struggle with the transition into the labour market post-study. More than 50 per cent of graduate visa holders with a bachelor’s degree or higher are working significantly below their skill level," the document revealed.
"This is particularly true for Engineering and IT graduates, despite them studying in areas tied to skills shortages."
An SMH report showed out of the total 650,000 overseas students, nearly 150,000 are on their second student visa.
Mr Singh said the government has reduced the maximum age limit from 50 to 35 years for a temporary visa.
He said the government plans to reduce the post-work visa from three to two years for students enrolled in master's degrees and from four to three years for PhD students.
"The work-visa extension will only apply to workers in regional areas," Mr Singh said.
Australia has announced a new migration strategy. Source: Federal government Credit: Sahil Makkar
