Australia's Labor government is implementing new rules to curb "visa hopping" by international students and prevent "permanently temporary" migration. The changes require students to apply for separate visas when transferring courses and aim to reduce net overseas migration.
The Australian government's efforts to curb "visa hopping" and reduce net overseas migration could impact the international education sector, a significant contributor to the Australian economy. The measures also aim to restore public confidence in the migration system by addressing perceived "rorting" and exploitation.
Australia's Labor government is implementing a crackdown on "visa hopping" by international students and migration agents, aiming to curb "permanently temporary" migration and reduce net overseas migration.
Announced on Friday, the new rules require international students to apply for a separate visa when transferring courses. This adds to existing regulations that prevent students from switching to lower-grade courses, such as moving from a bachelor's degree to a vocational program.
Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill stated the changes are designed to prevent individuals from gaming the migration system for extended periods. He drew a parallel to how Australians are expected to adhere to the visa rules of other countries.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the new rules are effective immediately, emphasizing the goal of ensuring a migration system that Australians can trust.
The reforms are part of a broader strategy to lower net overseas migration from its current annual level of nearly 300,000 to a target of 225,000 by 2028. The government is pursuing these changes through amendments rather than new legislation due to a lack of support from the Coalition and the Greens.
Additionally, the government is addressing the large cohort of over 400,000 people on bridging visas, many of whom are international students seeking new visas. From July 1, 2027, student visas will not be automatically extended upon course transfer, a measure intended to prevent "rorting" and ensure students engage with their initial courses.
In the interim, students are prohibited from transferring courses within 12 months of commencing their studies.
The crackdown also targets migration agents and lawyers accused of selling "false hope" by facilitating baseless visa claims to prolong stays. Proposed changes aim to ban agents from assisting applications they know lack a reasonable factual or legal basis. The Department of Home Affairs will consult on holding migration lawyers accountable for similar misconduct.
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