As part of efforts to control immigration records, Australia announced Wednesday it will increase the savings required from international students to obtain visas and warned some universities about fraudulent student recruitment practices.
In the second increase in about seven months, international students will have to prove they have saved at least $US29,710 ($19,576) today to get a visa. It rose to $24,505 from $21,041 in October.
The steps are the latest in a series of measures to tighten rules on student visas as lifting of the COVID-19 ban in 2022 has led to a surge in immigration.
In addition to raising English language requirements for student visas in March, the government moved to scrap a policy that allowed students to stay longer.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neill said 34 education providers had received warning letters for “unfair or exploitative recruitment practices”. If found guilty, he could face up to two years in prison and be banned from recruiting students.
“Our dodgy suppliers have no place in our international education industry. This action will help to investigate the bottom feeders who seek to exploit people and discredit the industry,” said O’Neill in a statement.
International education, one of Australia’s main export sectors, will contribute A$36.4 billion ($24 billion) to the country’s gross domestic product in 2022-2023.
However, record immigration, mostly driven by foreign students, has put pressure on the government over rising national rents. Net immigration rose 60% to 548,800 in the year ending September 30, 2023. In the next two years, the government estimates its policy could halve Australia’s immigration rate.
