The Australian government announced on Saturday that it will immediately close a loophole in its visa regulations that allowed international students to enroll in cheaper vocational courses upon their arrival in the country. This loophole, known as the “concurrent study” rule, enables international students to take additional courses alongside their main studies, aimed at equipping them with relevant skills for the job market.
However, recent investigations have revealed that many students were exploiting this rule to abandon their university courses and switch to less expensive alternatives. In response to this misuse, the government has decided to take action.
Data shows a significant increase in the utilization of concurrent study, with 17,000 concurrent enrolments recorded in the first half of 2023, compared to a combined total of 10,500 for the same period in both 2019 and 2022.
Education Minister Jason Clare highlighted the importance of this change, stating that it will prevent unethical “second” providers from enrolling students before they have completed the required six months at their initial institution.
Australia’s international education is a crucial sector for the country’s economy, ranking as its fourth-largest export industry. Therefore, safeguarding the integrity of this sector is paramount, according to Clare.
In addition to closing the visa loophole, the Australian government has also decided to raise the financial requirement for international students applying for a student visa. Starting from October 1, foreign students will need to demonstrate evidence of at least A$24,505 ($15,693) in savings, representing a 17% increase from the current threshold. This adjustment accounts for the higher cost of living.
The current exchange rate is 1 Australian dollar equal to 1.5615 US dollars.
Renju Jose reporting from Sydney; Michael Perry editing.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
