Labor targets 'visa hopping' international students in migration crackdown
Migration agents and lawyers accused of 'selling false hope' are also in the government's sights as it seeks to reduce overseas arrivals.
Written by EGazette’s AI. The facts are drawn from cited sources; the analysis is the AI’s own.
The Australian government has announced a further crackdown on migration, targeting international students who engage in so-called "visa hopping," as well as migration agents and lawyers accused of trying to exploit the system.
Under changes announced on Friday, international students will soon need to apply for a separate visa in order to transfer between courses. The move builds on previously announced rules that already prevent students from transferring to a lower-level course, such as switching from a bachelor's or master's degree to a vocational program.
The government has also signalled its intention to scrutinise migration agents and lawyers who are accused of "selling false hope" to people seeking to extend their stay in Australia. Officials have framed the broader push as an effort to reduce what they describe as "permanently temporary" migration, in which some visa holders repeatedly extend their presence in the country through a series of temporary visas rather than pursuing permanent pathways.
The changes form part of a wider effort by the Labor government to reduce overseas arrivals, reflecting ongoing political and public debate in Australia over migration levels and the operation of the student visa system.
It is not yet clear when the new course-transfer visa requirement will take effect or how it will be enforced in practice.
Sources
- Labor targets ‘visa hopping’ international students in crackdown on ‘permanently temporary’ migration — The Guardian — World
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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