Australia announced on Monday that it plans to tighten visa regulations for international students and low-skilled workers, which could result in a 50% reduction in migrant intake over the next two years. The government aims to revamp what it considers a “broken” migration system.
This decision comes after net immigration was projected to reach a record high of 510,000 in 2022-23. However, official data indicates that it is expected to decline to approximately 250,000 in 2024-25 and 2025-26, aligning with pre-COVID levels.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated that the government has worked tirelessly to strike the right balance in Australia’s migration system. The targeted reforms implemented by the government have already contributed to a decrease in net overseas migration, and these measures will further contribute to the anticipated decline.
O’Neil highlighted that the surge in net overseas migration in 2022-23 was primarily driven by international students. To address this, Australia will require international students to achieve higher scores on English proficiency tests. Additionally, policies that allowed students to extend their stay in the country will be discontinued.
In order to meet the demand for highly skilled workers, a new specialized visa will be introduced with a processing time of just one week. This will assist businesses in recruiting top migrants amidst fierce competition. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need to reduce Australia’s migration numbers to a sustainable level, acknowledging that the current system is flawed.
Australia, which has traditionally relied on immigration to address labor market needs, particularly in light of its tight labor market, aims to expedite the entry of highly skilled workers and facilitate their path to permanent residency.
