SPOTLIGHTS

·      Takes effect on July 1

·      Temporary Graduate Visa holders will no longer be able to apply for student visas onshore

·      The government aims to reduce net migration by half by the next fiscal year

·      Education providers have criticized the new regulations, fearing a negative impact on legitimate students

The Australian government has established stricter regulations to reduce “visa hopping” among international students and visitors, with the reforms slated to take effect on July 1.

‘Visa hopping’ occurs when temporary visa holders continue to prolong their stay by applying for other visa classifications.

The move is part of Australia’s effort to put a stop to this practice, in which overseas students extend their stay in the country by switching from one temporary visa to another.

The approach intends to fix a gap that permitted over 36,000 applications to be converted from tourist to student visas between July 1, 2023, and the end of May 2024.

The country’s Department of Home Affairs claimed that the amendment “closes a pathway that has been used to attempt to subvert the Government’s strengthened offshore student visa integrity measures,” but did not give specific proof of subversion.

The Department’s data reveals a considerable fall in onshore visa grants, with just 17,729 visas awarded to former visiting visa holders in the current fiscal year, down from 38,334 the previous year.

Temporary Graduate Visa holders will no longer be eligible to apply for student visas in Australia from July 1st.

Citing a Grattan Institute report that found that 32% of Graduate Visa holders returned to study after their visa expired, the Department emphasized the importance of graduates finding skilled jobs and transitioning to permanent residency or leaving the country, rather than becoming ‘permanently temporary.’

The reforms are part of a larger attempt to curb net migration, with the government intending to halve it by the following fiscal year.

Shorter post-study employment terms and a 35-year restriction reduction for Temporary Graduate Visas—with research students exempt—are among the previously implemented measures.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil said: “Our Migration Strategy outlines a clear plan to close the loopholes in international education, and this is the next step in delivering that plan. We need a migration system which delivers the skills we need, but doesn’t trade in rots, loopholes, and exploitation.”

Educational groups have criticized the new regulations. English Australia’s CEO, Ian Aird, voiced worries that these modifications will have a detrimental effect on legitimate students looking to continue their studies in Australia.

“Many tourists come to Australia, enjoy the fantastic services provided by high-quality English Australia member colleges, and wish to stay longer to achieve a life-changing level of English before returning home. This success should be applauded, not banned,” he said.