Australia Tightens Visa Regulations for Nigerian and International Students Amidst Record High Migration

Australia is set to implement stricter visa regulations for Nigerian and other international students studying in the country, as the government has found that many students are primarily interested in staying and working in Australia, rather than focusing on their studies.

This move comes as the country’s migration figures have reached new highs, putting additional pressure on an already strained rental market.

The new measures, which will take effect on Saturday, March 23, 2024, include an increase in English language requirements for student and graduate visa applicants, as well as the ability for the government to suspend educational institutions from accepting international students if they are found to be in violation of the rules.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated that these actions are aimed at driving migration levels down while addressing the issues within the country’s migration system.

The “genuine student test” is being introduced to ensure that international students are primarily interested in studying, rather than working.

Additionally, “no further stay” conditions will be more frequently applied to visitor visas to tighten controls.

These measures follow a series of actions taken last year to end the COVID-era concessions that the previous administration had introduced.

The concessions allowed international students unrestricted working hours, but the current government has announced plans to tighten rules for students, which could result in a reduction of the migrant intake by half over the next two years.

The increase in foreign workers and students has placed additional pressure on the rental market, which is already facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border restrictions.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that net immigration surged by 60% to a record 548,800 in the year ending September 30, 2023, bringing the country’s population growth rate to a record 2.5% and pushing the population to 26.8 million.

The majority of the migration boost has been attributed to students from India, China, and the Philippines.

While this has expanded the labour supply and helped to keep wage pressures in check, it has also aggravated the tight housing market, leading to record low rental vacancies and soaring construction costs, which hinder the addition of new housing supply.

Minister O’Neil noted that the government’s initiatives since September have already resulted in a decrease in migration levels, with international student visa grants falling by 35% compared to the previous year.

These measures are part of a broader effort to address the complexities of Australia’s migration and housing challenges.