The Australian Government has introduced new procedural criteria for the selection of international students with the aim of safeguarding its esteemed education system and fostering opportunities for the country to attract top-tier skilled professionals to fuel its economic growth.
These changes were unveiled as part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy released on December 11, 2023. There are three significant changes in the international student recruitment setting to take effect from March 23, 2024.
Genuine Student (GS) Requirement (Source)
Every international student applying for a student visa must demonstrate genuine intent. They must intend to temporarily reside in Australia as a student and exhibit an understanding that their primary purpose for obtaining a student visa is to pursue studies in Australia. The GS requirement is designed to encompass students who, upon studying in Australia, acquire skills that Australia requires and subsequently apply for permanent residence.
In the online student visa application form, students must address the GS criteria by responding to a number of matters such as the student’s current circumstances, their understanding about their courses, benefits from the courses, their chosen education provider, the environment where they will study, etc.
An additional question is included for students who have previously held a student visa or those applying within Australia from a non-student visa.
New English Language Requirement (Source)
The updated English language requirement aims to enhance the educational experience of international students and recent graduates in Australia, while also providing graduates with degrees earned in Australia an opportunity to contribute to the country’s economic advancement.
The new English language requirements apply to both student visas and graduate work visas.
English language requirement for international students’ visa application (Visa sub-class 500)
The English language requirement for student visa applications will be adjusted. For high immigration risk students, the minimum test score for English proficiency requirement for student visa application will increase from IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 (or equivalent) and the minimum score required to undertake a packaged ELICOS course will increase from IELTS 4.5 to 5.0 (or equivalent). English requirement for visa applications for independent ELICOS students and low immigration risk students are un-changed.
Post-Study Work Experience Visa (Visa sub-class 485)
The visa sub-class 485 has been restructured into two new streams: Post Vocational Education Work Visa and Post Higher Education Work Visa. There are three major changes: The age limit has been reduced from 50 to 35 years old, the minimum English proficiency requirement has been increased from an IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent) and the validity window for English tests has been reduced from three years to one year.
Suspension of High Immigration Risk Education Providers
The Government will exercise its authority to issue suspension certificates to education providers deemed to be enrolling overseas students for purposes other than education. This legal mechanism is implemented to ensure that only genuine students and education providers have access to Australia’s world-class international education sector.
Factors contributing to immigration risks include fraudulent document or information, breaches of visa conditions, unlawfully remaining in Australia after completing a course of study, etc.
Issuance of a suspension certificate entails that the provider would be prohibited from recruiting any new international students while the suspension is in effect. Reviews of the suspension will be conducted every six months.