Reforms in immigration processes
Proposed revisions to student visa processes may soon provide applicants with the opportunity to utilize their educational pursuits as a pathway to immigrate to Australia and join the nation’s workforce upon completing their studies. Under new reforms introduced by the Albanese government, prospective international students arriving in Australia will have the option to express their intention to migrate within their visa applications.
As per the current Home Affairs guidelines, overseas student applicants must satisfy the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement, which restricts their stay in Australia to the pursuit of a “quality” tertiary education for the duration of their university degree. To meet the GTE requirement, applicants must submit a 300-word statement outlining their personal circumstances related to their decision to pursue overseas education. However, they are prohibited from indicating any intention to obtain residency in Australia through the program. Those who attempt to use the student visa pathway solely for the purpose of working and living in Australia are typically rejected.
With the current Labor government’s push for increased immigration activity, especially after recent reviews highlighted significant deficiencies in the sector, it is expected that the GTE condition will be eliminated. The policy is likely to be amended to permit aspiring migrants.
It is anticipated that visa requirements will transition to a Genuine Student Test (GST), which will enable the consideration of high-skilled applicants capable of contributing to Australia’s workforce upon completing their studies, thus addressing the nation’s labor shortage.
The Migration Review’s final report, released in March, identified the need for a more focused approach to attract high-potential international students. It highlighted that the Student Visa program should serve as a vital source of high-performing, skilled migrants but has not fully realized its potential. The report recommended expanding Student Visa settings to maximize the opportunity to retain top university graduates and introducing a GST pathway.
Key figures in the education sector have long advocated for these reforms, arguing that they could help alleviate vocational job vacancies that domestic workers are not filling. However, there is a risk that these changes could lead to an increase in fraudulent visa applications from individuals who have no genuine interest in pursuing education.
In April, several Australian universities announced restrictions on students from certain parts of South Asia due to a pervasive pattern of fraudulent visa applications. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of increased net migration on an already strained housing market.
According to budget papers in March, Australia’s net overseas migration is projected to increase by 750,000 people over the next two years and almost 1.5 million within the next five. While Labour has faced calls for more affordable housing investment, it has instead focused on a $3 billion funding commitment to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described as “the most significant reforms to housing policy in a generation.”
From: skynews
