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Australia will be implementing new stringent visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers, in an effort to reduce its migrant intake by half over the next two years. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil unveiled the reforms, emphasizing the need to overhaul a perceived “broken” migration system.
The new policies will require international students to achieve higher scores on English proficiency tests, with increased scrutiny on second visa applications to extend their stays. O’Neil emphasized that the government’s strategy goes beyond mere numerical adjustments, focusing on shaping Australia’s future through a comprehensive migration experience.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the sentiment, asserting that the migration system needed to be brought back to a “sustainable level” due to its current state of disrepair. O’Neil highlighted that the targeted reforms were already impacting net overseas migration, contributing to the expected decline in migrant numbers.
The decision comes in response to a forecasted peak in net immigration at 510,000 in 2022-23, largely driven by international students. Official data indicates an anticipated decline to around a quarter of a million in 2024-25 and 2025-26, aligning with pre-COVID levels.
