Opinion: The Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bill 2024: A Misguided Approach? Submissions to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 [Provisions] closed on 1 July. So far, 64 submissions have been published. From my experience, the practicalities [...]
Current Situation of the International Education Industry in Australia Who is the victim here? The international education sector in Australia has long been a vibrant part of the nation's economy and cultural fabric. However, recent developments have raised significant concerns about the treatment and experience of international students. As we delve into the current [...]
New student visa fees, visa processing priorities and timeframes The government has announced, without any prior notice or industry consultation, a steep hike in student visa fees from 1 July 2024 to a staggering AUD$1,600. As per Minister’s statement: “This increase reflects the increasing value of education in Australia and reflects the [...]
International education is entering a new phase After recent changes to the immigration policy, many are predicting challenging times for Australia’s international student market. After being hit with the pandemic, the 408 visa disaster, and sudden visa refusals, the reputation of Australia’s international education sector has tarnished. Effective from 1 July 2024, Australia [...]
International education in Australia - Update June 2024 Visa Grant Decline in 2024 The latest data release from the Australian government reveals a significant drop in study visa grants to offshore applicants. A total of 74,421 study visas were granted from January through April 2024, marking a nearly 30% decline from the 104,808 granted [...]
New restrictions for student visas in Australia Are these changes really useful? Secrecy and late-night announcements without any transition period seem to be the recent modus operandi in relation to the international education industry. Any business operating within this sector requires periods for transition, notice to clients and regulators, and consideration of various compliance [...]
VETASSESS Assessment Times Reduced VETASSESS announced recently that the advertised time for general and professional skills assessments has been reduced to 10-15 weeks, down from the previous 12-20 weeks. This improvement is thanks to doubling the assessment team to meet the surge in applications following the end of border closures. Reopening of Applications for Specific [...]
Migration Points Test Review: Another Disaster in the Making? Published in The Conversation on June 3, 2024, researchers from the Grattan Institute discussed the need for reforming Australia's points-tested visas for skilled migrants. The paper emphasised the crucial role skilled migrants play in Australia's prosperity by contributing to the economy, society, and productivity. While the [...]
Are Yoga Teachers, Dog Handlers, and Fitness Instructors Really Needed in Australia Over Tradies? Let's talk about Mickey Mouse strategy for a minute. The Australian job market has experienced an unusual twist recently, however the Job and Skills Australia (JSA) proposed draft of Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) that prioritises certain professions for temporary [...]
International student numbers fall amid looming sector caps The Australian government has implemented numerous changes aimed at reducing net overseas migration by approximately 50% by 2024/25. In parallel, Canada has imposed a two-year cap on the number of study permits issued, reducing student numbers by a third, while the UK has raised the skilled [...]
