Australia plans changes to its international education policies
The government of Australia has announced several planned policy changes that would affect international students as part of its new migration strategy, which is intended to reduce the number of people coming to the country. These would affect English language requirements, visa applications, and the terms of the Temporary Graduate visa.
The IELTS score required to obtain a student visa will rise from 5.5 to 6.0 in the early part of 2024, with two exceptions. The required score for students who undertake a pre-sessional English course will rise from 4.5 to 5.0, while the score for those joining a foundation or pathway programme will be set at 5.5. After completion of studies, a Temporary Graduate visa will require an IELTS score of 6.5 (an increase from 6.0).
When seeking a student visa, applicants will also have to complete a new Genuine Student Test, which is intended to establish their eligibility for studying in Australia. This is part of an increased focus on the security of the student visa system, for which AUD 19 million will be invested. Increased scrutiny will be placed on some educational institutions that are deemed to be a “high risk” for misuse of visas, with the expectation that some applications will take longer to be processed as a result.
The duration of Temporary Graduate visas will be reduced in some cases from the middle of 2024. Students who complete a master’s by coursework will be eligible to stay in Australia for two years (reduced from three), while PhD holders will be eligible for three years (reduced from four).
Additionally, graduates will no longer be able to extend their stay by two years after having studied a course that offers in-demand skills. Instead, those that find employment in an area where skilled workers are needed will be able to apply for a new Skills in Demand visa, or a permanent skilled visa.
Meanwhile, the age at which students are no longer eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa will be reduced from 50 to 35. To provide further clarity around the visa system, applications for graduate visas made by students leaving higher education will also be given an expected processing time of 21 days.
For more information on your eligiblity to study or work in Australia, read our guides to student visas and post-study visas in the country.
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