Australia is set to implement stricter visa regulations for foreign students this week, coinciding with the release of official data revealing another record-high in migration, which is expected to exacerbate an already constrained rental market.
Effective from Saturday, English language proficiency requirements for student and graduate visas will be heightened, and the government will gain authority to suspend education providers from enrolling international students if they repeatedly violate regulations.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil emphasized the significance of these measures, stating, “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.”
Additionally, a new “genuine student test” will be implemented to further scrutinize international students intending to work in Australia, and “no further stay” conditions will be imposed on a broader range of visitor visas.
These changes follow a series of measures introduced last year to revoke COVID-era concessions, such as unlimited working hours for international students. The government had previously signalled intentions to tighten rules for students, potentially halving the migrant intake over two years.
Australia augmented its annual migration figures in 2022 to address labour shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this influx of foreign workers and students has intensified pressure on an already strained rental market.
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday unveiled a 60% surge in net immigration to a record 548,800 individuals in the year ending September 30, 2023, surpassing the 518,000 recorded in the year ending June 2023.
Overall, Australia’s population expanded by 2.5% – the fastest growth rate on record – reaching 26.8 million people by September last year.
The surge in migration, primarily driven by students from India, China, and the Philippines, has bolstered the labour supply and mitigated wage pressures. However, it has intensified challenges in the housing market, with rental vacancies at historic lows and soaring construction costs limiting new housing supply.
Minister O’Neil highlighted the government’s efforts to curb migration levels, citing a 35% decrease in recent international student visa grants compared to the previous year.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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