Kathmandu/19 February- Australia’s universities are facing a wave of international student visa cancellations due to new migration policies introduced by the Albanese government. These reforms aim to slash migration numbers by half, down to 250,000 annually by June 2025. The changes include tougher English language requirements, a “genuine student test,” and stricter regulations on visa hopping. As a result, universities like the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University, and the University of Wollongong have already begun canceling enrollments or advising students to defer.
The University of Sydney is urging affected students to discuss their options, such as deferring enrollment, if their visas aren’t approved by the second week of the semester. Failure to adhere to the new regulations could lead to higher risk ratings for universities, slowing down visa processing times. University leaders are concerned about the impact on the sector, with worries about the age cap reduction for the Temporary Graduate Visa, especially affecting postgraduate research programs.
The Group of Eight and the Council for Australian Postgraduate Associations are urging the government to reconsider, citing potential declines in research quality and international student attraction. However, the government maintains its stance, emphasizing the need to bring migration levels back to pre-COVID standards with integrity in student visa applications.