Australia tightens visa rules for foreign students and workers

The move is aimed at overhauling an immigration system that the government says has been plagued by problems.

Net migration is expected to rise to an all-time high of 510,000 in 2022-23. The sharp increase in net migration in 2022-23 is largely due to an increase in international students, according to Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil. With the tightening of visa rules, Australia's migration intake is expected to fall to around 250,000 in 2024-25 and 2025-26, similar to pre-COVID-19 levels.

The Australian Government is expected to announce a new strategy on immigration on the evening of December 11.

Under the new policy, international students will need to achieve higher scores in English language tests. The new rules also end the mechanism that allows international students to extend their stay in Australia. A new specialist visa for highly skilled workers will be established with a processing time of one week to help businesses recruit highly skilled migrants as they compete with other developed economies.

Australia last year pushed to increase its annual immigration intake to help key businesses recruit staff to fill shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic forced countries to impose tighter border controls, leaving foreign students and workers unable to leave the country for nearly two years.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said over the weekend that Australia’s immigration numbers needed to be brought back to “sustainable levels.” As a market reliant on migrant workers, Australia has been tightening its labor rules and speeding up access to skilled workers, making it easier for them to become permanent residents.