Australia has taken significant measures to enhance its global education system by closing a notable loophole that permitted educational institutions to quickly transition international students into work arrangements upon their arrival.
In an effort to secure the financial well-being of international students pursuing studies in Australia, the government has outlined escalated financial conditions for those applying for a student visa. Starting October 1, 2023, admission seekers will be required to provide an evidential financial capacity of $24,505, which stands as an increase of 17% over the previous requirements.
It is important to note that the financial threshold is designed exclusively for the student applicant. In the event that the student intends to bring along dependents, it is imperative that they meet the updated financial prerequisites outlined by the visa guidelines. The Australian government has spotted various problematic trends within the international education sector. These include a pronounced surge in the utilization of the concurrent function which permits international students to enrol in multiple courses simultaneously. Additionally, a substantial number of international students opt to switch to cheaper, lower-ranking courses after arriving in Australia.
To guarantee the financial well-being of international students upon arriving in Australia, the government has taken action by significantly raising the necessary funds. The desire is to mitigate situations wherein students feel obligated to seek employment right away as this can lead to exploitation and a compromised education experience. Also, the government will be increasing its vigilance when handling applications deemed to be high risk in an attempt to prevent illegal visa applications designed to defraud the system.
Preserving the prestige and good image of Australia’s education system relies heavily on taking these measures. The recent closure of the visa loophole is a significant step towards preserving the integrity of the system. In the first half of 2023, there was a notable increase in the use of this loophole, with 17,000 enrollments recorded. This figure surpasses the combined total for the same period in 2019 and 2022, which was approximately 10,500.
Australia values its international education sector greatly, as it is the country’s fourth-largest export.
