What is Australia’s new student visa policy? Please check in four points.
Australia has implemented new rules in the visa policy for international students and low-skilled workers with a visa. According to the new policy introduced on Monday, Australia has increased the score required in the English proficiency test, especially the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), for students applying for visas for study. The policy also allows for additional visas for those applying for a second visa after completing their education in Australia. According to the Australian government’s Migration Strategy, which includes eight main tasks and more than 25 policy improvements, recent years have seen Australia successfully establish itself as an attractive destination for foreign students.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, both businesses and schools were facing a shortage of workers and students, leading to leniency in the visa policies. However, with the new rules, the government aims to regulate the number of immigrants more systematically. Nepal has been a significant contributor of foreign students to Australia. According to data from the Australian Ministry of Education, after China and India, the highest number of foreign students in Australia is from Nepal.
In the past decade, the number of Nepali students pursuing higher education abroad, especially in Australia, has consistently increased. After completing their education, many Nepali students aspire to settle in Australia. Recognizing this trend, the government has included provisions in the new policy to identify potential pathways for students who want to stay in the country after their studies.
Key points of the new policy include:
Increased English language proficiency requirements:
The minimum IELTS score for studying at the undergraduate level has been raised from 6.5 to 7.0, and for visa purposes, a score of 6.0 is now required.
Diverse policies in student visa selection and criteria:
The government aims to discourage students who are only seeking employment and encourage those genuinely interested in studying. It plans to invest 1.9 billion dollars in the visa process to ensure that the funds are used appropriately.
Financial investment and risk assessment:
The government will prioritize visa processing based on the risk level of educational providers. Higher-risk education providers will experience slower visa processing times.
Second visa application and conversion:
The new policy introduces a streamlined process for students applying for a second visa and transitioning from a temporary graduate visa to a skilled visa. The age limit for transitioning to permanent residency has been set at 35 years.
These changes reflect Australia’s effort to balance the intake of international students and address concerns related to the misuse of student visas. The Nepali student community has expressed concerns and opinions on social media regarding the impact of these changes. The Australian government hopes that the new policy will lead to a more controlled and beneficial immigration system for both students and the country.
