The Australian government has stated that the alteration to the visa requirements for international students is aimed at ensuring that students who come to study in Australia can adequately support themselves without the need to urgently seek employment, thereby reducing the risk of exploitation.
In July, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a significant increase in international student arrivals, with 131,640 students, representing an 85 percent rise compared to the previous year, indicating an additional 60,420 students. Abul Rizvi, a former official at the Department of Immigration and a columnist, noted that offshore student visa applications have consistently set new records in the past 18 months. The surge in applications has been particularly driven by students from India, leading to concerns of fraudulent activities, especially from Indian applicants. The Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O'Neil, emphasized the importance of maintaining the global reputation of offering quality education and acknowledged that international education is Australia's fourth-largest export. She also made it clear that the government has a zero-tolerance policy for those who exploit international students, indicating that students working in the country while pursuing their studies should not be subjected to mistreatment. There are concerns that the changes in visa requirements might lead international students to explore less expensive vocational training, enter the workforce prematurely, or potentially switch from their primary course of study after arriving in Australia.
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