New Delhi: The Australian government has announced another significant change to its visa requirements for international students. International students will have to show proof of savings of at least AUD29,710 ($19,576) to qualify for a student visa. This is the second hike in the amount in the last seven months.
The proof of savings requirement has seen a hike of $3,430 from AUD 24,505 ($16,146) to AUD 29,710 ($19,576).
The government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has introduced several measures to make the process of student visas tougher, including a higher IELTS score. The recent adjustment in the proof of savings requirement follows a hike in October from AUD21,041 to AUD24,505.
Australia’s massive crackdown on student visas in its effort to cut annual immigration by half has hit Indian students hard.
Visas granted to Indian students fell by 48% between December 2022 and December 2023, India Today said, quoting a report.
India continues to be the second-largest country for international student enrolments in Australia. It said 1.22 lakh Indian students were studying in Australia in the January-September 2023 period.
These new rules are part of a series of changes Australia has made to student visas.
Why has Australia made the changes?
The changes started when a lot of people moved to Australia after COVID-19 restrictions were eased in 2022. This has caused problems with housing, so the government is making it harder to get a student visa.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said warning letters have been sent to 34 education providers for “non-genuine or exploitative recruitment practices”. They could face serious consequences, including jail time and a ban on recruiting students, if found guilty.
