Australia is set to tighten its visa rules to restrict the intake of international students and low-skilled workers in an effort to address what the government describes as a “broken immigration system.” Clare O’Neil, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, announced the move, stating that the changes are expected to cut the country’s migrant intake by half over the next two years. The government aims to strike a balance in the migration system and put downward pressure on net overseas migration.
The decision follows a peak in net immigration at a record 510,000 in 2022-23, with projections indicating a decline to about a quarter of a million in 2024-25 and 2025-26, aligning with pre-Covid levels. O’Neil attributed the increase in net overseas migration in 2022-23 to international students.
Australia’s immigration system has faced bureaucratic challenges, including outdated occupation codes that have not been updated since 2013. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the need to bring migration numbers back to a “sustainable level,” describing the system as broken.
Under the proposed policies, international students will face more stringent English language tests, and settings allowing students to prolong their stay in Australia will be discontinued. Additionally, a new specialist visa for highly skilled workers will be introduced, with a one-week processing time to facilitate businesses in recruiting top migrants amid tough competition with other developed economies.
Australia, known for having one of the tightest labor markets globally, has traditionally relied on immigration. The government aims to streamline the entry of highly skilled workers and facilitate their path to permanent residency. These changes represent part of the broader efforts to overhaul the immigration system and address current challenges.
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