Deciphering the Impact: Australia's Updated Student Visa Regulations on the Indian Community

 

Starting May 10, 2024, if you're applying for a student visa in Australia, you'll need to prove you have savings of at least ₹16,29,964.

Australia is making it harder for international students to obtain visas. They are requesting more money from students who want to study there. Starting May 10, 2024, students must have at least A$29,710 (₹16,29,964) saved up. This represents 75% of the national minimum wage.

The reason for this adjustment is to ensure that students can afford to live while studying in Australia. They may need to work during the 25% of the year that they are not in class. Meeting these criteria will help students plan their future more effectively.

It's the second time in seven months that the minimum savings have increased. In October, it increased from A$21,041 (₹11,54,361) to A$24,505 (₹13,44,405). 

The government is making Immigration rules more tightly after hearing about thousands of people moving to Australia when the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022. This caused challenges, like not having enough rental homes.
In March, the government also made it harder to secure a visa by boosting the English language requirements. They've also been developing measures to stop students from staying longer through multiple strategies.

According to Australia Visa News, the number of temporary student visas awarded in the country hit a new high of 6,54,870 in July 2023, which was a substantial increase from the year before 

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The Australian government has implemented several additional measures aimed at supporting international students:

• Transition from GTE to GS: The Australian government has replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This strategic shift ensures that students are genuinely committed to pursuing their studies and not solely seeking opportunities for work.

• Extension of Post-Study Work Rights (PSWR): Effective from July 1, 2023, post-study work rights have been extended by up to two years. This significant extension empowers students to seek employment opportunities aligned with their fields of study after graduation.

• Minimum Total Score Requirement: International students enrolling in universities and programs must now attain a minimum total score of 5.5 to meet admission criteria.

• Limitation on Work Hours: Commencing July 1, 2023, students are restricted to working a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight during study terms and semesters.

• Revision of Skilled-Recognized Graduate Visa: Previously granting recent engineering graduates the privilege to stay, work, or study in Australia for up to 18 months, the Skilled-Recognized Graduate visa now imposes a time limit effective from December 22, 2023.

• Restrictions on Simultaneous Course Enrollment: Effective from September 8, 2023, international students are prohibited from enrolling in two courses simultaneously within the initial six months of their principal course.

These measures reflect the Australian government's commitment to ensuring the integrity of the education system while fostering opportunities for international students. By balancing support mechanisms with necessary regulations, Australia strives to maintain its reputation as a premier destination for global education.