Response to an overhaul of the skilled migration program is mixed, with warnings the changes will further damage Australia's international reputation.
Under the changes, announced on Monday by Immigration Minister Chris Evans, 217 occupations will be struck off the list of valued vocations under Australia's skill migration program.
Just 181 occupations feature on the new list, which the government says reflects a shift from a supply-based system to one driven by demand, and which addresses skills shortages in the economy.
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'Supportive' of foreign students
The changes also mean some 1,300 private colleges, many offering cheap courses to foreign students seeking permanent residency, will have to reapply for accreditation.
Senator Evans conceded the changes would affect the education sector, particularly foreign students, but was unapologetic.
"We're very supportive of students coming here to study, we're very keen for them to take advantage of our top quality education system," he said in Perth on Monday.
"But if students come here, they come here to buy an education, not to buy a visa for permanent migration."
The changes come after Australia last year suffered a blow to its international reputation following the collapse of numerous private colleges described in a government report as visa factories.
Bilateral relations improving
Relations with India continue to improve following accusations Australia was a racist country in the wake of a string of attacks on Indian students.
The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET), which represents more than 1,100 private colleges, warned the nation's reputation would be further damaged as a result of the changes.
ACPET chief Andrew Smith said the government had actively encouraged international students to undertake courses that had now been bluntly withdrawn.
'Shonky operators'
"We understand the need to revise and update Australia's migration programs. We have for many years advised our members to offer diverse educational programs for precisely this reason," Mr Smith said.
"If the Australian government has any sense of fairness to international students or regard for our global reputation as an education destination of choice, it will provide fairer transitional arrangements for current students immediately."
But the chief of TAFE Directors Australia, Martin Riordan, said the changes to the list were "overdue and welcome".
"It was essential that shonky operators and their enrolments be cleaned up after last year's scandalous overenrolments in courses, and in some cases fraudulent enrolments among some private colleges," he said.
Mr Riordan said his association would work with the government on the implementation of the changes that affect students.
Jobs 'bias'
"We've already seen comments by government officials in China and parts of India which have welcomed a new emphasis for students to look seriously at TAFE because of the experience of last year."
Senator Evans said the system inherited from the Howard government meant doctors, nurses and engineers were waiting in the queue behind less valuable skilled applicants.
"There is a bias towards medical professions, towards engineering and construction to make sure we've got the skills we need to support expansion in the economy," he said.
The new list comes into force from July 1 and will be updated annually.
