Australia Targets International Students and Temporary Visa Holders to Halve Migration by 2028

Australia has introduced stringent new visa conditions for international students and temporary graduate visa holders, part of a broader strategy to halve net overseas migration to 225,000 people by 2028. This policy shift follows a substantial increase in migration numbers post-COVID-19, with the figure reaching a record 510,000 in the year to June 2023.

The updated regulations, which came into effect on 23 March, include a rise in the required English language test scores for student visas and a reduction in the duration of post-study work visas. Furthermore, the ‘Genuine Student Test’ has been strengthened to prevent applicants from using the student visa system as a backdoor to employment in Australia, a practice the government refers to as ‘visa hopping’.

Clare O'Neil, Australia's Home Affairs Minister, stated that the government's objective is to build a more sustainable migration system. She emphasised that these changes are designed to ensure that international students genuinely focus on their education, rather than leveraging student visas for other purposes.

The move represents a deliberate effort to manage population growth and address concerns over potential exploitation of the visa system. The government anticipates that these reforms will bring migration numbers closer to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a recalibration of Australia's approach to international arrivals and temporary residents.