January 31st, 2024 at 12:58 am

Australian Immigration 2024 | Major Changes for Australia Student Visa

New year, new regulations. The Australian student visa guide for 2024. The most recent modifications to the Australian student visa for 2024 are covered in this update. For holders of Australian student visas, the Australian government implemented some significant reforms. I’ll walk you through these modifications in this article for student visa applications submitted on or after October 1, 2023.

Current Australian Student Visa Rules

Let us first get familiar with the current rules that are placed on Australian student visas.

• Applicants must first be enrolled in a course in Australia
• Also, applicants must be of a minimum age of 6 years or more
• In addition, their bank accounts should hold sufficient funds for their stay in Australia
• Lastly, applicants are required to have proper health insurance

New Australian Student Visa Rules

New regulations for student visas were announced on November 25, 2023. These are the modifications;

1. Higher scores on the English proficiency test

Higher English proficiency exam results are required of overseas applicants. Reapplying students will be closely examined in light of the potential for a longer stay. For postgraduate studies, international students must obtain a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or 6.0. Additionally, students enrolled in undergraduate courses need to obtain a score of 6.0.

2. Latest Working Hours Changes

Australia was quite lenient about the working hours of international students after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, during academic sessions, students are now assigned a working hour cap of 20 hours per week.

3. Approved Degrees

For Indian students, this is wonderful news! The revised criteria provide that degrees obtained in Australia will be recognized in India, while degrees obtained in India will be recognized in Australia.

4. New Visa Introduced

The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa will be replaced by the new Skills In-Demand Visa, which will be introduced by the Australian government. Graduates under the temporary graduate visa will now be able to remain in Australia for the following period.

The two-year bachelor’s degree remains unchanged. Master’s degrees via coursework, formerly three years, are now two years. The three-year Master’s by research program remains unchanged. PhD lowered from four to three years

Updated Financial Capacity Requirement

On October 1, 2023, the amount needed to support dependents and students financially was revised. You will need to provide proof of your financial capability if you intend to apply for an Australian student visa. Living expenses could exceed the cost of the visa itself and differ depending on where in the nation you live. It will be necessary for you to have at least $24,500 in your bank account.

Future of International Students in Australia

An examination of changes in employment policy and their effects on international students studying in Australia. With the largest percentage of international students compared to its population, Australia is a global leader in luring international students. The nation issued over 673,000 student visas as of October 2023, a record high.

However, concerns are raised regarding how this flood of foreign students would affect the Australian economy and labor market.

Policy Shifts and Employment Challenges

The Albanese government has made significant policy changes that reduce the Post-Study Work Rights (PSWR) for overseas students from four, five, and six years to two or three years. These new regulations do not apply to Indian students, who make up Australia’s second-largest and fastest-growing student population.

With this adjustment, Australia’s policy is now in line with those of the US, Canada, and New Zealand, all of which provide up to three years of PSWR.

Implications of Policy Changes

On the other hand, there are issues with these policy changes. Reducing the PSWR time may not help international graduates obtain the required work experience or address the skills shortages in high-skilled professions, according to experts like Lran from Deacon University. Reducing the age limit for Temporary Graduate Visas from 50 to 35 may have negative effects on older students who are responsible for providing care for others.

The Reality of Employment for International Graduates

Data shows that 51% of international graduates with bachelor’s degrees work in low-skilled positions three years after graduation, refuting the idea that they are covering key skills gaps. Furthermore, compared to domestic graduates, international graduates are said to have lower employment, participation, and median earnings rates.

Long-Term Consequences and Recommendations

The current trajectory of the international education sector in Australia is exacerbating the problem of a growing underclass of low-skilled, low-paid migrant workers, which is aggravated by this circumstance. Recent immigration agreements with India that provide longer work permits and acknowledge Indian qualifications might keep drawing in a large number of unskilled laborers.

Experts advise placing more emphasis on quality than quantity in international education to prevent the continuation of these problems. Raising admission requirements and severing the direct connection between employment, education, and permanent residency in Australia are part of this. Australia might address issues of youth unemployment, wage exploitation, and overburdened infrastructure—all of which are somewhat attributable to the country’s current approach to international education—by concentrating on drawing in students who are truly competent and qualified.

Australia has recently changed its policies for international students to strike a balance between meeting the demands of the home labor market and preserving its appeal as a top destination for international education. However, the prioritization of quantity above quality in the admittance of international students has had a substantial negative impact on society and the job market.

It emphasizes how immigration and education laws need to be strategically reevaluated to create a more advantageous and sustainable system that benefits both international students and the Australian economy.