Australia announces new visa rules and tightens international student visa rules

The Australian government has announced very significant changes to its immigration and education policies, recognizing the importance of international education and the evolving needs of international students in the labor market.

Through these developments, the Australian government hopes to improve the integrity of international education programs, safeguard students, and assist graduates in reaching their professional goals, so strengthening the immigration strategy it presents on December 11, 2023.

New financial capacity requirements

Effective May 10, 2024: updated financial criteria will be required of international applicants seeking Student and Student Parent visas.

To cover travel expenses, tuition fees, living expenses for their stay in Australia, applicants must show access to at least A$29,710 (almost US$19,576). This amendment seeks to guarantee students’ enough money to prevent financial problems during their education.

Retest TOEFL iBT for visa purposes

Reactivated as a valid assessment for student visa applications is the Internet-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), iBT. Provided the test is taken before 26 July 2023, or after 4 May 2024, all Australian universities will accept TOEFL iBT results.

Interval tests taken are invalid. Prospective students can demonstrate their English competency by means of a well-known test, so facilitating their study, employment, or travel plans to Australia.

Introduction to True Student (GS) Requirements

The new Genuine Student (GS) requirement will take effect on March 23, 2024, following the replacement of the Temporary Genuine Entrant (GTE) requirement. The GS requirement calls for a set of focused questions instead of the previous three hundred words.

This change seeks to give visa decision-makers a better knowledge of a student’s intentions and motivations to study in Australia, so enhancing the assessment process and guaranteeing that candidates are really motivated in following their education.

Updated English language requirements

New English language requirements will apply to all applications for student visas including temporary postgraduate visas from 23 March 2024.

Part of their visa application, international students will have to show evidence of their fluency in English. This shift highlights Australia’s dedication to making sure students possess the language required for success in their studies and careers.

Changes to the temporary postgraduate visa

Post-study work visas will change starting on July 1, 2024. Although the temporary graduate visa will still provide graduates with chances to obtain useful work experience, its duration will be changed.

Graduates who find employment in skilled trades during their post-study period could be qualified for a new 4-year required skills visa.

A clear path to permanent residency

This visa offers a clear route to permanent residency, in line with Australia’s emphasis on drawing in qualified professionals.

Crucially, the first residency terms for Indian nationals as stated in the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement will not change.

Restore the number of immigrants in Australia to normal

Based on what Ms. Claire O’Neill, Minister of Home Affairs in the Australian government, confirmed during the press conference, the government also added that it is seeking to return to normal through the strategy being effectively applied.

In a related vein, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that the nation intends to revert to a sustainable, level system in order to properly control immigration numbers over the next years.

The number of immigrants in Australia is very high

Furthermore noteworthy is the Sydney Morning newspaper’s finding from an opinion poll taken last month: 62% of Australian citizens agreed that the current immigrant count in Australia is far above the average.

Although the government was granting immigration to Australia to hasten the arrival of skilled workers from all around the world and enable permanent residency for them, the labor market in Australia is today regarded as one of the most strict labor markets in the world.

With this choice, the government hopes to satisfy the country’s skill needs while also reorganizing permanent skill migration to attain long-term advancement, so improving the quality of education for international students, and so addressing the issue of workplace exploitation and visa system misuse.