Australia has reached a significant milestone with the number of international students surpassing 700,000 for the first time, contributing to a record-high temporary entrant figure of 2.8 million.
According to data published by data.gov.au on Monday, as of 29 February, there were 713,144 international students in Australia. Abul Rizvi, former deputy secretary of the immigration department, hailed this as an “all-time record,” reflecting a notable surge from 664,178 in September 2023.
In March, the Albanese government initiated the implementation of key recommendations from the migration review released in December. These include elevating English language requirements for student visas, empowering authorities to suspend high-risk education providers from recruiting international students, and introducing a new genuine student test to discourage individuals primarily seeking work opportunities over genuine study.
The genuine student test will scrutinize students’ study intentions and economic circumstances, ensuring a commitment to genuine student status.
Moreover, to prevent visitor visas from being exploited as a means to evade offshore student visa integrity checks, the government plans to intensify the imposition of “no further stay” conditions on visitor visas.
Anticipating a significant decline in net overseas migration by next year, the government foresees the largest drop in Australia’s migration history, excluding periods of pandemics and world wars.
