On 11th December 2023, Australia announced that it would tighten visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers, which could halve its migrant intake over the next two years, and the government plans to overhaul what is said to be a “broken” migration system.
Under the new policies, international students would need to get higher ratings on English tests, and there would be more scrutiny done on a student’s second visa application that intends for a prolonged stay in the country.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated during a media briefing, “Our strategy will bring migration numbers back to normal,”‘
“But it’s not just about numbers. It’s not just about this moment and the experience of migration our country is having at this time. This is about Australia’s future.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, over the weekend, commented that Australia’s migration numbers needed to be taken back to a “substantial level” and that the system is completely broken. O’Neil further stated that the government’s targeted reforms would already be putting downward pressure on net overseas migration and further make an expected decline in migrant numbers.
The decision to put restrictions and new policies on migration comes after net migration was expected to have peaked at a record 510,000 in 2022-2023. The home affairs minister said that the net overseas migration in 2022-2023 was mostly driven by overseas students.
Australia decided to boost its annual migration numbers last year to help businesses in the country recruit staff after the COVID-19 pandemic brought tight border controls and kept foreign workers and students out of the country for nearly two years. However, the sudden influx of foreign students and workers has put pressure on the already stressed-out rental market, with homelessness on the rise in the country.
