Australia Student Visa: Check these recent developments before you apply

Higher score in English proficiency tests

Australia on Monday said it would tighten visa rules for international students to decrease its migrant intake over the next two years. As per the new rules, international students will now be required to secure higher ratings on English proficiency tests and there will be more scrutiny on a student’s second visa application that would prolong their stay.

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This decision comes a little after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that Australia’s migration numbers needed to be brought back to a “sustainable level,” and that “the system is broken.”

In general, to study in Australia, students need to score an overall score of a minimum of 6.5 in IELTS, with no band less than 6.0 for their postgraduate options. For undergraduate courses, candidates should have had an overall score of a minimum of 6.0. However, the requirement is now expected to change, so aspirants should consult their shortlisted universities for the same.

Change in work hours

During and immediately after the Covid pandemic, Australia relaxed the limit on working hours allowed to international students. However, this year, the allowable work hours cap for international students was reinstated with a change.

From July 2023, student visa holders will be allowed to work no more than 48 hours a fortnight while studying, which equates to 24 hours per week. “This change has been designed to provide students with increased flexibility to support themselves, while still ensuring study remains the primary purpose of their visa,” the official notice stated.

However, during study breaks defined by an institution, international students are permitted to work unlimited hours. Also, if the course includes work as part of its curriculum, these hours won’t count towards the 48-hour cap. Additionally, for those pursuing a masters by research or a PhD, there are no limits on work hours.

Earlier, international students were allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight.

Indian educational degrees to be recognised in Australia

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on March 8 announced an ‘Australia-India education qualification recognition mechanism’. As per this new arrangement, degrees obtained in Australia will now be recognised in India, and, vice-versa, degrees obtained in India will be recognised in Australia.

However, this move will not apply to professional qualifications just yet.

Temporary Graduate Visa

While a lot of changes have been made in student visas over the past few years, Indian graduates will continue to be eligible to stay on a Temporary Graduate Visa for:

– Two years for a bachelor degree

– Three years after the completion of a Masters degree

– Four years for the completion of a PhD.

Australia universities put curbs on student visas as fraud cases increase

In the past year, Australia registered a rise in attempts to obtain student visas through fraudulent means, “including by applicants from India”. Following this, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that at least five Australian universities have placed restrictions on the applications of Indian students from at least four states — Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh. Edith Cowan University (ECU), Victoria University, Southern Cross University also confirmed to The Indian Express that applications from Indian students are facing “additional” scrutiny.

Edith Cowan University, placed in the 601-650 band in the QS rankings, said it has “temporarily paused undergraduate student recruitment from Punjab and Haryana to review its admission processes and settings for the region” since January 2023.

However, later the University of Wollongong (UOW) denied placing any bans on applications from Indian students, or on students from any specific Indian states or regions. “UOW does not have any restrictions on student applications from India other than the standard entry criteria we apply to all international students and the requirements of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. In fact, rather than introducing restrictions, we have streamlined our application process for all international students, including Indian students, which will speed up turnaround times on their applications,” the varsity clarified in an official statement.