From this week, as reported by Australian officials, tougher visa rules for international students and visitors would be implemented to curb the surge in migration/population numbers.
Data showed that migration hit another record high which could continue despite the housing crisis and rents on the high side.
From Saturday, 23rd March, English language requirement for students and graduate visas would be increased as schools would be suspended from international students admission should they break the rules repeatedly.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement that, “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.”
A new “genuine student test” will be introduced to further crack down on international students who look to come to Australia primarily to work, while the imposition of “no further stay” conditions will be used on more visitor visas.
The record migration – driven by students from India, China and Philippines – has expanded labour supply and restrained wage pressures, but it exacerbated an already tight housing market where rental vacancies hovered at record lows and elevated construction costs restricted new supply.
O’Neil said the government’s actions since September have led to a decline in migration levels, with recent international student visa grants down by 35% on the previous year.