Australia has made it more difficult for families of international students to enter the country by announcing new regulations designed to limit immigration. These rules, announced on Thursday, include stricter processes for extending holiday visas and prevent international students from staying indefinitely in the country.
New Requirements for Visa Extensions
Under the new regulations, international students must choose a higher-level course of study to extend their visa. Tony Burke, the Minister for Home Affairs, stated that this decision comes at a time when the high rate of immigration has become a political hot topic in the country. Criticism of these policies has increased from right-wing parties, such as the One Nation party, which is calling for a reduction in the number of temporary migrants.
Read more: Mohammad Sharifullah Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
Changes to Visitor Visas
According to the new regulations, all visitor visas will include "no further stay" conditions, which prevent visa holders from remaining in Australia while applying for another type of visa, such as a partner visa. These changes will not apply to holiday workers from the UK, as agreed in the bilateral free trade agreement.
While these regulations restrict the entry of more families of international students, there are some exceptions for individuals already in Australia, as well as for people from the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Burke also announced that secondary applications for most other student visas will no longer be accepted.
Economic and Social Implications
Currently, spouses and partners of international students can work in Australia, although the number of hours they are allowed to work varies depending on the field of study. Burke emphasized that the government will no longer automatically allow students to bring their family members to Australia. These changes are part of the government's efforts to exert more control over immigration and reduce the rate to 225,000 people by 2028.
Research shows that international education contributed approximately AUD 53.6 billion (GBP 28.4 billion) to the Australian economy last year, but the current government is seeking to reduce the number of migrants with these changes. In 2025, Australia issued over 337,000 international student visas, of which about 45,000 were dependents or family members of applicants.
In recent years, the cost of applying for a student visa has increased by nearly 300%, and English language requirements and minimum savings thresholds for graduate visa applicants have also become stricter. These changes come as immigration has surged following the reopening of Australia's borders in February 2022.
Read more: Jimmy Lai's Son Appeals for His Father's Release in Washington · Trump Administration Faces Legal Battle with 22 States Over Green Card
Source: independent.co.uk
