Australia Tightens Visa Laws: What International Students Need to Know

Australia is a popular destination for international students, home to 9 of the world’s top 100 universities, 95% of globally ranked universities, and 6 of the top 50 student cities. In July 2023, the number of student visas hit a record high of 654,870, a rise of 300,000 from the previous year (according to Australia Visa News).

The Australian government has recently updated its immigration rules, affecting both current and future students, particularly in terms of work permits. Studying abroad, especially in English-speaking countries, is becoming more challenging for Indian students as countries like the U.K., and Australia tighten their admission rules.

The U.K. announced that starting in 2024, international students won’t be able to bring their dependent family members with them during their studies. Other countries like Germany and Australia have also gradually raised their financial requirements, with Germany now requiring 11,208 euros (₹10 lakh) for a student visa, up from 10,000 euros.

These changes could make it more expensive and complicated for Indian students to pursue higher education abroad.

Why are there new restrictions on international students & Visa Laws?

Countries impose restrictions on international students principally to safeguard their education systems and prevent fraud. Here are some key examples:

• Visa Rules: Countries like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. have updated their visa processes. For instance, Indian students applying for U.S. visas (F, M, or J types) must now use their passport details to schedule appointments.
• Savings Requirements: Australia mandates that international students have at least $24,505 in savings before applying.
• Work Restrictions: In the U.S., international students are limited in how much they can work off-campus. If they work illegally, their F-1 visa can be canceled.
• Family Members: From 2024, the U.K. will stop allowing international students to bring dependent family members during their studies.

To avoid complications, international students should stay in contact with their school’s Designated School Official (DSO) and report any changes to their address or employment.

Types of Universities in Australia

There are different types of universities in Australia to which the novice changes will apply.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Australia established a new wave of universities, such as Macquarie and La Trobe, to meet the growing demand for higher education. These universities aimed to break from traditional models and offer a fresh approach to learning. Later, in 1999, the Australian Technology Network (ATN) was formed, focusing on innovation and tech-based solutions, with members like RMIT and Deakin.

 Around the same time, the Group of Eight (Go8), including prestigious institutions like the University of Sydney and ANU, became known for their strong research and global reputation. Additionally, the Regional Universities Network (RUN), founded in 2011, supports education in regional areas, with members like CQ University.

Finally, New Generation Universities, such as Western Sydney University and Canberra University, were established to provide modern educational opportunities and are continuing to grow their research capabilities.

Besides all the academic changes & advancements, Australia has announced a restriction on the enrollment of international students. It will accept only 2,70,000 overseas students in 2025. The cap is applicable for higher education and vocational courses in Australia and will apply to students who will commence their education in the country for the first time in 2025.

The overall cap count for public Universities in Australia is set at 1,45,000 new international students. Whereas, the cap count for Australian private Universities and non-higher education institutions is set at 30,000 new international students. The vocational education sector has a cap count of 95,000 new international students in 2025.

However, this new regulation will not apply to students in school, postgraduate research students, and some English language students.

Surge in Visa Fees

Starting July 1, the visa fees for international students have increased to Australian dollars (AUD) 1,600 from AUD 710.

After May 10, the minimum savings requirement for the primary international applicant has been hiked to AUD 29,710 from AUD 24,505.

This move was announced because the Education Minister of Australia, Jason Clare, said that the growth in educational vocational courses reflects a scenario that people are lured to Australia to work and not study, as the numbers of international students have dipped from 1.24 lakh Indian students to 1.18 lakh during Jan-May 2024.

The Group of Eight (Go8), made up of Australia’s top research universities—like the University of Melbourne, ANU, and the University of Sydney—have spoken out against limits on international students, saying it will harm both the education sector and the country.