Australia is set to enforce stricter visa regulations for foreign students starting this week, coinciding with a surge in migration numbers that is likely to further strain an already tight rental market.
Commencing Saturday, adjustments will be made to the English language prerequisites for student and graduate visas. Moreover, authorities will be empowered to suspend educational institutions from enrolling international students if they persistently violate regulations.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated in a release, “The measures to be implemented this weekend will continue to lower migration levels while upholding our commitments in the migration strategy to rectify the flawed system we inherited.”
A fresh “genuine student test” is slated to be introduced to clamp down on individuals seeking to enter Australia primarily for employment purposes. Additionally, the enforcement of “no further stay” provisions will be extended to a larger proportion of visitor visas.
These actions ensue a series of measures undertaken last year to reverse COVID-era relaxations initiated by the preceding administration, such as unlimited working hours for international students. At that time, the government indicated that regulations would be tightened, potentially halving migrant intakes within two years.
Australia elevated its annual migration figures in 2022 to assist businesses in recruiting personnel to address shortages following stringent border controls amid the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the exclusion of foreign students and workers for close to two years.
However, the sudden influx of overseas workers and students has intensified pressure on an already constricted rental market.
Statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday unveiled a 60% surge in net immigration to a record 548,800 in the year leading up to September 30, 2023, surpassing the 518,000 individuals recorded in the year concluding June 2023.
In its entirety, Australia’s populace soared by 2.5% – the most rapid growth on record – to reach 26.8 million individuals by September last year.
The unprecedented migration, predominantly attributed to students from India, China, and the Philippines, has expanded the labor pool and curbed wage inflation. However, it has further compounded the strain on the housing market, where rental availabilities remained at historic lows and elevated construction expenses limited new housing supply.
O’Neil highlighted that government interventions since September have led to a decrease in migration levels, with recent international student visa approvals plummeting by 35% compared to the previous year.
