Australia has tightened student visa rules due to increased immigration

Australia is set to enforce tougher visa rules for international students this week, following the release of official data indicating that migration has reached a new high.

This development is expected to intensify the already intense rental market.

The government will have the authority to stop education providers from recruiting foreign students if they consistently break regulations, and starting on Saturday, the English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be raised.

The actions this weekend, according to a statement from Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil, will keep the number of migrants low while fulfilling their obligations under the migration strategy to repair the dysfunctional system they inherited.

"No further stay" conditions will be applied to more visitor visas, and a new "genuine student test" will be implemented to further crack down on foreign students who intend to come to Australia primarily for employment.

The actions come after a series of measures taken by the previous government last year to end COVID-era benefits, such as unlimited working hours for overseas students. At the time, the administration promised to tighten regulations for students, which might result in a two-year drop in the number of immigrants admitted.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, which imposed stringent border controls and barred foreign workers and students from entering the country for almost two years, Australia increased its annual migration figures in 2022 to assist companies in hiring workers to cover shortages.

However, the unexpected surge in foreign students and laborers has put further strain on the already constrained rental market.

Net immigration increased by 60% to a record 548,800 in the year ending September 30, 2023, according to data issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday. This figure was higher than the 518,000 individuals in the year ending June 2023.

In all, Australia's population increased to 26.8 million in September of last year at the quickest rate ever recorded—a 2.5% increase.