Australia tightens visa scrutiny of immigrant students, consultants advice caution

In addition, the student had violated several other rules. He had enrolled in an undergraduate course in Adelaide before arriving in Australia in 2024 but on arrival, he enrolled in a diploma course at his university but did not make the necessary visa changes. He had also got advance confirmation of enrolment (CoE) for a PG diploma course which he was supposed to do only after completing the diploma.

The visas of several students have been cancelled in a similar manner in recent months, according to sources.

Gaurav Chaudhary, a Ludhiana-based immigration consultant and member of the Association of Australian Education Representatives of India (AAERI), said such cases are not isolated. “Students used to get relaxations on such anomalies during the Covid period. The ones who are still complacent when it comes to rules and regulations will have to pay heavily in the form of visa cancellation, deportation, etc,” he said.

In case the visa is cancelled when the student is out of the country, they don’t even get the right to appeal the decision. “Students must continue the courses for which they got the visa. Often, offshore agents misguide them and get them enrolled in diploma courses so they can pocket a commission from some educational establishments,” said Chaudhary.

Recently AAERI even wrote to the Australian immigration department to stop such commissions for offshore consultants. In case a student wants to switch his/her course due to any personal reason, it should completely be their choice. Such exploitation of students by agents sometimes results in visa cancellation.”

International students in Australia can work up to 24 hours a week but many drive Uber or work as delivery persons and exceed the limit. During holidays, however, there is no cap on working hours, sources said.

Recently, nearly 40 business premises in Melbourne that employ students were also inspected as part of a crackdown against those flouting the working hours limit, as per sources.

Students can get a two-year temporary residency visa in Australia after completing their studies which can be extended for another two years and hence they can get enough opportunities to earn money, immigration consultants said.

This year, universities have also been given a limit to enrol students. Once the admissions limit of a university reaches 80 per cent, visa processing for the remaining 20 per cent seats will slow down, sources added.