Australia has introduced stringent rules for students and other people migrating to the country, News About Nigeria reports.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil disclosed this in a statement, stating that this is a result of the high number of migrants influxing into the country.
It noted that the rules will commence officially on Saturday, adding that English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increased, while the government will get the power to suspend education providers from recruiting international students if they repeatedly break rules.
According to him, this will ensure that the migration level in the country is reduced to the barest minimum.
“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,” he stated.
He further noted 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.
Recall that Australia increased its yearly migration numbers in 2022 to assist businesses in filling personnel shortages caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, which imposed severe border restrictions and barred foreign students and workers from entering the country for almost two years.
According to data issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday, net immigration increased by 60% to a record 548,800 in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, surpassing the 518,000 persons in the fiscal year ending June 30.
