According to the new policies, international students will be required to achieve higher scores on English tests, and there will be increased scrutiny on second visa applications, leading to potential extensions of their stay.
These regulations are set to take effect this week, coinciding with official data indicating that migration has reached yet another record high. This surge in migration is expected to further strain an already tight rental market.
Starting this Saturday, there will be heightened English language requirements for student and graduate visas. The government will also gain authority to suspend education providers from recruiting international students if they repeatedly violate regulations.
“The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the migration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited,” Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement.
A new “genuine student test” will be introduced to further crack down on international students who look to come to Australia primarily to work, while the imposition of “no further stay” conditions will be used on more visitor visas.
O’Neil noted that government measures implemented since September have resulted in a reduction in migration levels. Recent grants of international student visas have decreased by 35% compared to the previous year.
