Australian government announces changes to visa conditions for certain temporary migrant workers effective July 1, 2024.
Eligible individuals will have up to 180 days at once or a maximum of 365 days during their visa period to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or depart the country after terminating work with their sponsoring employer.
Flexibility will help support skilled migrant workers while searching for a new sponsor or making other arrangements.
Regional universities have expressed concerns over the impact of these policy changes on international students, with some experiencing significant drops in international student enrollment and revenue.
These changes apply to Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457), Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494).
The Australian government has announced changes to visa conditions for certain categories of temporary migrant workers, effective July 1, 2024. These modifications aim to offer more flexibility and address concerns over 'worker exploitation'. Eligible individuals will have up to 180 days at once or a maximum of 365 days during their visa period to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or depart the country after terminating work with their sponsoring employer. This policy replaces the current 60-day period and applies to Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457), Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494).
These changes will impact skilled migrant workers in Australia, allowing them to work for other employers during the grace period. This flexibility will help support themselves while searching for a new sponsor or making other arrangements. The Department of Home Affairs emphasizes that these measures aim to enhance labor market mobility and address unfair labor practices.
However, regional universities have expressed concerns over the impact of these policy changes on international students. Federation University has experienced a 50% drop in international students between 2019 and 2023, leading to more than 100 position cuts. The Regional Universities Network reports a 61% drop in international student revenue for its member institutions between the same years, compared to an average decline of 16% across the sector. Alec Webb, chief executive of the Regional Universities Network, believes that families running small businesses are more likely to struggle with new financial capacity requirements due to their liquid funds.
In addition to these changes for temporary migrant workers and international students, Australia has also raised visa application fees for international students by 125% to A$1,600 starting July 1, 2023. The Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil announced the fee increase in a statement as part of efforts to boost the 'integrity' of Australia's fourth-largest export and help slow overall migration.
Australian government is easing visa conditions for certain categories of temporary migrant workers starting July 1, 2024.
, Eligible individuals will have up to 180 days at once or a maximum of 365 days during their visa period to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or depart the country after terminating work with their sponsoring employer.
This policy replaces the current 60-day period.
The following categories of visas are affected: Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457), Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494).
New regulations aim to offer flexibility for migrant workers following concerns over ‘worker exploitation’.
Migrant workers will be able to work for other employers, including roles not listed in their latest approved sponsorship selection.
Visa holders must remain in their nominated occupation while working for their existing sponsor and cannot work for another employer without terminating employment first.
Jubin Raju, a nursing student from Kerala, is studying at a regional Australian university and has been working as a personal care assistant to gain experience in his field.
Federation University's vice chancellor and president has attributed job cuts at the university to visa refusals caused by these policy changes.
Federation University has experienced a 50% drop in international students between 2019 and 2023, leading to more than 100 position cuts.
Dr. Bentley, the vice chancellor of Federation University, believes that families running small businesses are more likely to struggle with new financial capacity requirements due to their liquid funds.
The Regional Universities Network reports a 61% drop in international student revenue for its member institutions between 2019 and 2023, compared to an average decline of 16% across the sector.
Alec Webb, chief executive of the Regional Universities Network, says that lost international student revenue has disproportionately affected regional universities because students are not returning at the same rate as those who chose online study options during the pandemic.
Accuracy
The federal government is implementing several changes to international student policies, including increasing financial capacity requirements.
Federation University has experienced a 50% drop in international students between 2019 and 2023.
Dr. Bentley, the vice chancellor of Federation University, believes that families running small businesses are more likely to struggle with new financial capacity requirements due to their liquid funds.
The Regional Universities Network reports a 61% drop in international student revenue for its member institutions between 2019 and 2023.
Deception
(70%)
The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author quotes Jubin Raju expressing his concerns about the changes in migration policies for international students, which creates an emotional response from the reader. However, the article does not provide any context or information about the reasons behind these changes or their potential impact on all international students, only focusing on those studying in regional universities. This selective reporting can mislead readers into believing that all international students are negatively affected by these policies when that may not be the case.
The federal government has not given numbers on its incoming cap on international students and what the limits would be for each university.
Jubin Raju says lengthy visa processing times are a barrier for international students.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The author expresses concern for international students due to changes in migration policies and the potential impact on their future studies and employment opportunities in Australia. She quotes a student voicing doubts about what will happen after their studies due to these policy changes. The author also mentions that visa refusals have led to job cuts at universities, specifically regional universities, which has affected international students. However, there is no clear bias towards or against any specific political ideology, religion, or monetary interests in the article.
It cannot be definite by the things happening right now, so you won’t know what will happen after your course is finished.
We dropped by $80 million in revenue, and that had a direct impact on our ability to fund our staffing complement.
