Australia has unveiled a series of stringent migration reforms designed to reduce the inflow of international students and temporary visa holders. Announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Thursday, the measures target what the government describes as loopholes in the current system, signaling a significant shift in how the nation manages its border controls.
The changes specifically affect international students, prohibiting them from bringing family members on dependent visas. While exemptions remain for PhD candidates and applicants from Pacific and Southeast Asian nations, undergraduate students will no longer have the automatic right to sponsor relatives. Additionally, individuals seeking to extend their stay through further study must now pursue higher-level qualifications, effectively curbing the practice of
Finally, someone is addressing the systemic issues. The current loopholes were simply unsustainable for infrastructure.
Backpackers are crucial for our farms right now. Hope these new rules don’t leave our food unpicked.
Will this actually lower housing costs in Sydney? I’m skeptical the government knows what it’s doing.
Interesting that PhDs get an exemption. Does the government really think research students are any different? Seems arbitrary.
This is a harsh move against students. Families shouldn’t be split apart just for economic reasons.