CANBERRA: Australia is poised to roll out stricter visa regulations for foreign students this week, as part of efforts to tackle soaring migration rates that are straining the country’s rental market.
Official statistics reveal a significant uptick in migration levels, prompting the government to tighten English language proficiency requirements for student and graduate visas.
Additionally, authorities will be empowered to suspend education providers found flouting regulations pertaining to international student recruitment.
Emphasizing the necessity of these measures, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated that they are aimed at reducing migration levels and rectifying deficiencies within the current system.
A new “genuine student test” will be introduced to discourage individuals primarily seeking employment opportunities in Australia. Moreover, stricter “no further stay” conditions will be imposed on a wider range of visitor visas to discourage prolonged stays.
Last year, the government began to phase out COVID-era concessions, such as unlimited working hours for international students, with the goal of halving migrant intake over a two-year period.
The surge in migration, triggered by the relaxation of border controls post-pandemic, has placed immense pressure on the rental market, exacerbating existing housing shortages.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates a staggering 60% surge in net immigration, reaching a record 548,800 individuals in the year ending September 30, 2023, surpassing the previous year’s figures.
Driven primarily by students from India, China, and the Philippines, this influx has expanded the workforce and mitigated wage pressures, but has intensified housing challenges.
Minister O’Neil highlighted a decline in migration levels subsequent to government interventions, with recent grants of international student visas down by 35% compared to the preceding year. These regulatory adjustments seek to strike a balance in migration levels while alleviating pressures on Australia’s housing and labor markets.
