Australia sees 40 percent decline in Australian student visa applications

The noticeable plunge in the applicants for Australian student visas is largely due to changes in the Australian visa regime by Australian immigration along with a delay in the announcement of new SOL(Skilled Occupation List), chief of IDP( a top Australian education agent), Tony Pollock stated.

Pollock has further cautioned of significant decline in the number of foreign students applying for Australian student visas resulting in a total estimated loss of nearly A$600 million.

He said that it should be a matter of serious concern for Australian immigration that the number of applications for Australian student visas from India, China and Vietnam are going down. China and India happen to be the top source nations for $17 billion international student industry of Australia.  

International student industry provides jobs to nearly 125,000 people in Australia in addition to providing funding of 25 percent to university teaching in the nation. 

International students currently on Australian student visas are concerned about their fate since recent changes in Australian immigration rules has made it impossible for them to become a permanent resident of Australia. Hence, they have no option but to look for other options by immigrating to other countries for higher studies.

Australian immigration department had introduced stricter visa norms for students and had removed incentives of providing permanent residency of Australia to those who apply for a certain course.

Moreover, Australian immigration had suspended three categories of Australian visas which, along with the delay in the new SOL, has shattered confidence among potential applicants for Australian student visas.

Chris Evans, Australian immigration minister has stated that amendments in Australia’s skilled migration program will remove all incentives for international students to win permanent residency by applying for a study course.

Although, Mr. Pollock has welcomed the recent efforts by Australian immigration to clean the international student industry, however, he has urged the government to open the skilled migration pathway for foreign students.