Immigration News & Updates

Important Visa Changes For International Students

The following announcement in relation to changes to visas for international students was made today by The Hon Alan Tudge MP and The Hon Dan Tehan MP.

The Morrison Government is making a number of changes to student visa arrangements to ensure Australia remains a priority destination for international students as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the closure of our international borders has been critical to our success in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, and Australia has been a leader in this regard, it has presented challenges to the education sector and students, both here and offshore.

These five visa changes will ensure international students are not worse off due to the coronavirus pandemic and that Australia remains competitive with other countries. 

The changes include:

• The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel.
• International students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free of charge if they are unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to COVID-19.
• Student visa holders studying online outside Australia due to COVID-19 will be able to use that study to count towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa.
• Graduates who held a student visa will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return due to COVID-19.
• Additional time will be given for applicants to provide English language results where COVID-19 has disrupted access to these services.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the changes provide assurance to international students already in Australia and those who haven’t been able to travel due to COVID-19 border closures.

Please contact us if you need help with your student visa.

Immigration by Numbers June 2021

10,000: the number by which Australia’s shortage of farm workers would be exacerbated with the free trade deal between the UK and Australia, expected to be signed today. The Nationals say that dis-allowing the second 12-month working holiday visa extension to British backpackers who do farm work will lead to a loss of up to 10,000 farm workers a year who come from the UK.

88: the number of days a UK national would need to work in the agricultural sector in order to qualify for a second working visa under the present rules, at least until any changes announced in today’s new free trade deal with the UK.

25,000: the number of estimated Pacific Islanders willing to undertake agricultural work in Australia.

$50bn: the value of Australia’s agricultural exports, of which $700 million is to the UK.

In other news…

5.9%: the decade-high lift in retail spending in 2020-21 with government stimulus, lockdowns and the closed international borders.

5.8%: the percentage fall in payroll for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees, following the expiry of the $90bn JobKeeper wage subsidy program in March 2021.

5.5%: the percentage rate to which Australian unemployment has fallen to.

$125m: the daily cost of lockdown in Victoria.

Is a free trade agreement with the UK a good thing?

Ref: AFR 15 June 2021

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