The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Australia announced on Wednesday that it will raise the minimum savings required for international students to obtain a visa and issued warnings to several colleges about fraudulent student recruitment practices. This is part of an effort to manage record migration numbers.
Starting Friday, international students will need to show proof of savings of at least A$29,710 ($19,576) to qualify for a visa. This marks the second increase in about seven months, following a previous raise from A$21,041 to A$24,505 in October.
These measures are part of a broader strategy to tighten student visa regulations after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 led to a surge in migrants, exacerbating the already tight rental market. English language requirements for student visas were increased in March, and steps have been taken to prevent students from extending their stay indefinitely.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil revealed that warning letters were sent to 34 education providers suspected of engaging in “non-genuine or exploitative recruitment practices.” Those found guilty could face up to two years in jail and a ban on student recruitment. “Dodgy providers have no place in our international education sector. These actions will help weed out the bottom feeders in the sector that seek to exploit people and trash the reputation of the sector,” O’Neil stated.
International education is one of Australia’s largest export industries, contributing A$36.4 billion ($24 billion) to the economy in 2022/23. However, the significant influx of international students has added pressure to the housing market, with rental prices soaring nationwide. Net immigration rose by 60% to a record 548,800 in the year ending September 30, 2023.
The government anticipates that its new policies could halve Australia’s migrant intake over the next two years. “We are significantly reducing migration levels – we are in the middle of the biggest drop in migration numbers in Australia’s history, outside of war or pandemic,” O’Neil added.
