Australia has Made Some Changes in the Immigration and Visa Policies. Here is What International Students Need to Know About It

International students in Australia suffered greatly during the coronavirus outbreak, therefore Australia is implementing certain changes to its international visa and immigration policies in an attempt to support them in some way. This policy shift will have a direct impact on overseas students and anyone wanting to live and work permanently in Australia.

Every year, Australia releases a relatively restricted number of seats for its migration programme, but the Department of Home Affairs has stated that there would be no changes to the skilled streams. Australia stated that the migration programme cap for year 2021-22 will be maximum  160,000, including 79,600 slots for the skill stream and 77,300 spaces for the family stream.

Australia suffered a huge loss of economy due to the pandemic, the education sector alone suffered tremendously. As a result, in order to sustain the country's disrupted economy, the country will expedite visa applications for more occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).

Occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)

On 22 June 2021 almost 22 occupations were added in the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List making the total number to 41. The PMSOL identifies almost 41 occupations which involves critical skills that will help in the betterment of Australian economy. Among the occupations on the PMSOL here is the list of the few occupations,

• Veterinarian

• Social Worker

• Medical Laboratory Scientist

• Management Accountant

• Accountant (General) 

• Medical Laboratory Scientist

• Electrical Engineer

• Petroleum Engineer

• Psychiatrist

• General Practitioner

• Resident Medical Officer

• Midwife

• Analyst Programmer

• Software Engineer

• Chef

• Multimedia Specialist

• Developer Programmer

The Federal Government of Australia Stated that, “Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australian business in a PMSOL occupation will be subject to quarantine arrangements at their own expense. Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and visas will still be processed, but priority will be given to those in occupations on the PMSOL.”

Change in Policies and International Students

Previously international students in Australia were allowed to work 40 hours a fortnight, however the Government has announced that international students will now be able to work more than 40 hours in certain sectors. Those students working in the age care sector, agricultural sector, and tourism sector are also eligible.

It has been also stated that the department plans to prioritise economic visa cohorts, in terms of applicants, citizens who are currently onshore will be prioritized as the border are expected to remain close until early 2022, so those who are outside of Australia are less expected to benefit from the program.

There are reports that the Federal Government of Australia is trying to give more skilled visas to international students, who are currently living in less populated areas.

Among the visa changes an increase in the Citizenship application fee has also been announced. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said that changes will be implemented from 1^st July. The new Citizenship application fee will be A$490.

“This is the first change to citizenship application fees since 2016 and has been determined by citizenship application processes and costs.” He said.