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Australia announces new visa rules, increases English requirement for students
The move is anticipated to potentially reduce the country's migrant intake by half over the next two years
Representative image / Image - Unsplash
Australia announced its intention to tighten visa regulations for international students and low-skilled workers.. The decision comes as the government aims to revamp what it perceives as a "broken" migration system.
The newly introduced measures in Australia include more stringent minimum English-language proficiency requirements for international students. Additionally, individuals applying for a second visa will face increased scrutiny, being required to demonstrate that further study would contribute significantly to their academic goals or career advancement.
Under these changes, applicants for a graduate visa now need an IELTS score of 6.5, up from 6.0, while student visa applicants must achieve a score of 6.0, increased from 5.5.
The Australian government has also announced the introduction of a new "Skills in Demand" visa to replace the existing Temporary Skill Shortage visa. The new visa, valid for four years, offers three pathways categorized by skill level.
The first pathway is for specialists, targeting highly skilled workers in sectors like technology and energy. Eligible applicants must earn at least US$89,000 in any occupation, excluding trade workers, machinery operators, drivers, and laborers.
The second pathway focuses on core skills to meet workforce demands. It involves a regularly updated occupation list reflecting the evolving job market in Australia. The third pathway, still in development, will be an essential skills pathway with a focus on addressing labor shortages for individuals with lower incomes.
The Australian government anticipates that these new pathways will contribute US$2.2 billion to the budget over the next decade.
“The Migration Strategy is a commitment to getting our system back on track and to returning migration levels back to normal. If you are a worker, whether local or migrant, this strategy means stronger protections of your wages and conditions. For businesses, it means getting the skills you need to grow and be more productive, particularly in critical areas like healthcare, the net zero transition, and the digital economy,” Clare O’Neil, Minister for home affairs and Andrew Giles, Minister for immigration, citizenship and multicultural affairs said in a statement.
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