Australia is set to implement tougher visa regulations for foreign students starting this week, aiming to address soaring migration levels that are exacerbating pressures on the rental market. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil announced that from Saturday, English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be raised, and measures will be introduced to suspend education providers recruiting international students if they repeatedly breach regulations.
Additionally, a new “genuine student test” will be introduced to curb international students primarily seeking work opportunities in Australia. The imposition of “no further stay” conditions will also be expanded to more visitor visas as part of these measures.
The decision follows a series of actions initiated last year to phase out COVID-era concessions, including unrestricted working hours for international students. The government had previously indicated plans to tighten rules, potentially halving migrant intake over two years.
Australia witnessed a surge in migration in 2022, driven partly by the need to fill labor shortages due to strict border controls during the pandemic. However, this influx has intensified pressure on the rental market. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a 60% increase in net immigration to a record 548,800 individuals in the year ending September 30, 2023.
The surge, led by students from India, China, and the Philippines, has impacted the housing market, contributing to record-low rental vacancies and elevated construction costs. O’Neil noted that government interventions since September have resulted in a decline in migration levels, with recent international student visa grants down by 35% compared to the previous year.