The Australian government has imposed restrictions on international students and holders of working holiday visas as part of new changes to the immigration system. Burke stated that the goal of these changes is to facilitate the entry of individuals needed by the economy and to prevent the misuse of visas for long-term stays.
New Student Visa Restrictions
One of the most significant changes pertains to the student visa. According to the new regulations, most international students will no longer be able to bring family members as dependents to Australia, except in specific cases such as some doctoral students. Burke clarified that families currently in Australia will not be separated.
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Additionally, the government will address the phenomenon known as "visa hopping," which refers to the frequent changes of study programs and visas. Students will be required to progress toward higher levels in their studies and will not be able to extend their visas by frequently changing educational institutions.
Changes for Working Holiday Visas
Other changes have also been made for individuals who come to Australia on working holiday visas. From now on, a lottery system will be introduced for the second and third years of their stay. The number of individuals who can remain in Australia for the second year will be reduced from 57,000 to 45,000, and for the third year, it will decrease from 31,000 to 5,000. However, British citizens will be exempt from these rules due to trade agreements.
The government also intends to take a tough stance against individuals who remain in Australia after their visa expires. Estimates suggest that around 77,000 individuals are currently in Australia without a valid visa. To monitor these individuals, the government plans to hire 100 new officers and allocate 250 new detention beds.
Burke stated, "Our goal is to ensure that individuals without valid visas understand that staying in the country without authorization will have consequences." These changes have met with mixed reactions. Some experts and immigration advocates view this program as a threat to Australia's cultural diversity.
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