The Australian Government has implemented stricter visa rules for Nigerian students and other foreign applicants due to a surge in migration. Starting this Saturday, the rules entail higher English language standards for student and graduate visas.
Additionally, the government gains authority to suspend education providers who consistently violate regulations in recruiting international students.
“The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the migration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited,” Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement.
It was learned further that a new “genuine student test” will be introduced to further crack down on international students who look to come to Australia primarily to work, while the imposition of “no further stay” conditions will be used on more visitor visas.
Following last year’s measures to end COVID-era concessions, including unrestricted working hours for international students, the Australian government is tightening standards for students. These changes may halve migrant intake over the next two years.
The surge in migration was prompted by the government’s decision to increase yearly migration numbers in 2022 to address personnel shortages due to COVID-19 border restrictions.
However, this influx has exacerbated pressure on the rental market. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, net immigration rose by 60% to a record 548,800 in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, contributing to Australia’s population growth, which reached 26.8 million people, the fastest rate on record.
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