Publish Date: 13/06/2024
The Albanese Government is implementing key measures to restrict 'visa hopping,' addressing loopholes that have allowed students and temporary visa holders to extend their stay in Australia indefinitely.
Recent data indicates that international students on second or subsequent student visas have increased by over 30%, exceeding 150,000 in 2022-23.
The Government has already taken significant steps, such as implementing no further stay conditions on visitor visas and introducing the Genuine Student requirement in March.
Starting 1 July, the Government is introducing further restrictions. Visitor Visa holders can no longer apply for Student Visas onshore. This move addresses the misuse of the visitor-to-student pathway, which saw over 36,000 applications from July 2023 to May 2024.
Additionally, 485 Temporary Graduate Visa holders will be barred from applying for Student Visas onshore. The new policy aims to encourage these graduates to find skilled jobs or leave the country, reducing the phenomenon of 'permanently temporary' residents.
Other changes effective 1 July for Temporary Graduate visa holders include shorter post-study work rights, a reduced age limit from 50 to 35 years, and increased English language requirements introduced in March.
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