Australia's New Migration Strategy: The Updated Integrity Measures' Key Highlights


International students have long considered Australia to be a popular study destination for higher education. In response to the challenges the nation is currently facing with graduates becoming "permanently temporary," the Australian government has formally announced several noteworthy revisions to its immigration policies. With more selective procedures and a balanced approach for those wishing to study and work in the nation, these steps seek to expedite pathways for foreign students.

This news update is relevant to you if you are thinking about studying in Australia. A sneak peek at what's new and how it may impact you is provided here.


Introducing the New ‘Genuine Student Test’

The first significant modification will be the implementation of a new "Genuine Student Test," which will encourage applications from genuine students and deter those whose main goal is to work in Australia rather than pursue higher education. 


Changes to the English Language Proficiency Standards for Temporary Graduate Visas and Student Visas

The English language proficiency threshold for student visas will increase to 6.0 on the IELTS starting early in the following year, guaranteeing a higher linguistic standard. Furthermore, the minimum score required for a temporary graduate visa will rise from 6.0 to 6.5. These modifications seek to discourage extended stays without sincere career aspirations while balancing graduates' desires to work after graduation.


Updated Budgetary Requirements 

Starting on October 1, 2023, the applicant's financial requirement for a student visa has been raised to AUS$24,505. The purpose of this 17% increase in the required funds is to keep up with Australia's rising educational costs.


Simplified Visa Process: Modifications to Temporary Graduate Visas (Post-Study Work Rights)

This entails clearing out unnecessary visas and streamlining the application process for applicants as a whole. Currently, the Australian visa system contains over 20 redundant and superfluous visas. In addition, the government has announced modifications to the duration of the Temporary Graduate Visa, with consideration given to the kind of degree earned. For example, a Master's degree with coursework will take two years instead of three, and a PhD will take three years instead of four. Other categories, though, will either stay the same or see slight modifications. Furthermore, the qualifications for obtaining a second Temporary Graduate Visa (PSW) will not alter based on the region. Nevertheless, there will be no more two-year extensions.


A New Pathway for Skilled Graduate Visas

For graduates in skilled occupations, the Australian government has also instituted the "Skills in Demand" visa. Australia's temporary skilled shortage visa and permanent skilled visa have been replaced by this newly introduced visa. For graduates in skilled jobs in Australia, this is good news because it breaks the cycle of short-term stays.


These modifications and updates represent a reasonable strategy to stop the abuse of migration routes for prospective students considering Australia as their study-abroad destination in the coming academic year.


It's a wise decision to stay informed and seek professional guidance as these migration policies change. For thorough, end-to-end help with your application process, get in touch with the KC Overseas Education team.


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