Sydney, Dec 11 – Australia has announced plans to cut its annual migrant intake by 50% within two years, leading to concerns among Indian students who are considering studying in the country. The move comes as Australia aims to impose stricter tests on overseas students and reject workers with low skills.
The new migration strategy will include a more rigorous English-language test for students and a requirement to prove genuine intent before entering the country. Additionally, it will be more challenging for students to remain in Australia if they cannot secure jobs that address the nation’s skills shortages.
Australia currently has over 650,000 overseas students, with a growing number extending their stay by applying for a second course. However, the government’s new plan could potentially hinder this trend. The government is willing to implement further measures, such as capping student numbers or increasing visa application fees, if the target of reducing net migration to 250,000 by June 2025 is not met.
Clare O’Neil, the Home Affairs Minister, will outline the proposed changes, emphasizing the need to reduce the intake to sustainable levels while combating migrant exploitation. The government plans to allocate USD 19 million to expand its visa integrity unit and identify students who should be denied entry due to not passing a genuine student test.
The government’s efforts also aim to prevent visa hopping, a practice where overseas students or visitors switch from one migration claim to another to extend their stay while engaging in unskilled work.
The International Education Association of Australia supports the proposed changes, stating that the government has the means to adjust the influx of students as needed. However, concerns have been raised about the current safeguards in the system, as a significant number of students on their second visa choose lower-level study programs.
In addition to the changes affecting student visas, the government plans to introduce a new skills in demand visa with three levels, prioritizing highly skilled foreign workers committed to working in regional Australia.
The Australian government’s decision to halve the migrant intake and implement stricter tests on overseas students may have a substantial impact on Indian students considering higher education in the country. As discussions and debates on the new migration strategy continue, the potential consequences for international students remain uncertain.
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