Australia just opened new pathways in visas for international students to check the constant increases in incoming student numbers. This two-tiered visa system was announced by Education Minister Jason Clare to manage the number of migrants at pre-election times. This is the main feature of the new policy on visas:

• Two-tier visa system: Under the new system, visa applications submitted by universities and colleges will be prioritized, depending on whether they are under the operation of managing their international students sustainably. High-priority processing will be made for applications submitted until colleges reach 80% of the total number of international students they are allowed for enrollments. Beyond the 80% threshold, visa applications will then be processed at standard rates.
• Regional Smaller Universities Focused: The intent of the new policy was to direct applications towards regional and smaller universities and reasonably populated international students in such universities.
• Resisting Legislative Blow: This is not the first move toward international number restraint on behalf of the government, but it followed the failed effort to bring international numbers under the cap through legislation blocked by opposition.
• Election Heat: With an election coming up on May 17, the Labour government is under mounting pressure to control the current absurd levels of immigration. These levels have increased after the pandemic.
• Decrease in Issued Student Visas: The most recent data reveals that student visa arrivals plummeted by 25% in the last year. The arrivals dropped to 207,000 as of June 2024, down from 278,000 the previous year.

Effects on International Students

Influence of the new visa regulations is expected to be major on international students who plan to study in Australia. Applicants may face longer processing times and increased scrutiny while applying for visas to study in institutions that have reached quotas1.

Government’s take

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher added that this new change in processing could cut the number of students while directing applications to regional and smaller universities. According to the government, such a strategy reviews the entry of overseas students as well as labor demand in particular sectors of the industry1.

Conclusion

Australia’s new visa regime is a strategic effort to manage international student admissions with very specific focus on issues of concern with rising levels of migration. Policy implementation will be followed closely by international students and educational institutions now comprising travelling in the new system.