Australia tightens visa rules for students, workers and tourists

Australia has announced changes to temporary visa rules affecting international students, skilled workers, tourists and Working Holiday Makers as the government seeks to reduce net overseas migration.

According to Legit.ng, international students applying for another Student visa while in Australia will generally be expected to move to a higher-level qualification rather than switch to a lower-level course.

Skilled visa processing priorities will expand to resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing, while the points system is expected to be revised to better reflect labour market needs.

Working Holiday Maker visas will also face tighter limits, with proposed annual caps of 45,000 second-year visas and 5,000 third-year visas.

Visitor visas are expected to carry a “No Further Stay” condition, generally preventing holders from applying for another visa while in Australia without an exceptional-circumstances waiver.

The government is also considering tighter rules for dependants of international students and stronger enforcement against visa overstayers and migration agents lodging applications deemed meritless by Australian immigration authorities.