Migration Reforms – Fee Increase for International Students from July 1st
Starting 1 July 2024, the fee for international student visas will rise from $710 to $1,600. This change underscores the growing value of education in Australia and the Albanese Government’s dedication to maintaining integrity within the international education sector.
The additional funds will support several key initiatives in education and migration, including:
- Measures recommended by the Universities Accord, such as fairer HECS, paid practical placements, and fee-free Uni Ready courses.
- Financial support for apprentices and their employers within the Vocational Education and Training sector.
- Continued implementation of the Migration Strategy.
Alongside this change, several previously announced elements of the Migration Strategy will also take effect, including:
- Increasing the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $70,000 to $73,150 based on annual indexation. This is the second increase under the current government after being frozen for a decade at $53,900.
- Shortening the duration of Temporary Graduate Visas and reducing age eligibility.
- Ending ‘visa hopping’ by closing loopholes that allow students and other temporary visa holders to extend their stay in Australia indefinitely.
- Enhancing mobility for temporary skilled migrants by extending the time they can remain in Australia between employer sponsors from 60 days to 180 days, to reduce exploitation and drive productivity.
- Implementing the Strengthening Employer Compliance Bill 2023 to introduce new criminal measures against employers who exploit migrants.
- Introducing the Workplace Justice Visa Pilot to allow temporary visa holders to stay in Australia for a short period while pursuing workplace justice.
Strengthening Integrity and Quality in Australia’s International Education Sector
Quotes from Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor:
“Australia has a world-class education sector that attracts international students from around the globe. We need to ensure that all students receive the quality education they pay for.
“We are committed to eliminating unscrupulous providers who seek to exploit international students.
“Most providers operate with integrity and are dedicated to education and training for the right reasons. They will benefit from the removal of non-genuine actors who undermine trust and integrity in Vocational Education and Training (VET).”
Quotes from Minister for Education, Jason Clare:
“International education is an incredibly important national asset, and we must ensure its integrity and quality.
“These changes will strengthen the integrity of the international education system and help fund important reforms recommended by the Universities Accord, such as making HECS fairer, paid practical placements, and expanding FEE-Free Uni Ready courses.”
Quotes from Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil:
“When we assumed office, we inherited a migration system that was broken and dysfunctional, along with an international education system compromised by rorts and exploitation.
“Reform was essential after a decade of neglect under the previous government.
“This sector has the potential to drive growth and opportunity for our country, but to achieve this, we must collaborate with quality providers to clean it up.
“The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system and create a migration system that is fairer, smaller, and better able to deliver for Australia.”
Quotes from Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles:
“Our reforms will empower vulnerable workers to speak up while we crack down on employers who violate the rules.
“We are committed to delivering higher wages for skilled migrants and Australians after a decade of the former Liberal Government deliberately keeping wages low.”
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