Amber’s Post

Just when you thought things could not get any worse! “#Australia has more than doubled the cost of student visa applications, in the latest blow to the country’s beleaguered #internationaleducation industry. From 1 July, the fee for #internationalstudent visas has been increased from A$710 (£375) to A$1,600, in what the federal government described as a demonstration of its commitment to ethical behaviour in the international #education sector. The extra revenue will help to fund Universities Accord reforms to domestic #highereducation – including free preparatory courses, payments for compulsory practicums and cuts to graduate debt – as well as implementation of the government’s #migration strategy. “The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system & create a migration system which is fairer, smaller & better able to deliver for Australia,” said home affairs minister Clare O’Neil. The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) said it was “an outrageous impost on a sector which is already facing death by a thousand cuts”. “These non-refundable #visa application fees will place Australia at more than double the cost of our closest competitor countries,” said chief executive Phil Honeywood, “The fact that the additional revenue is going to pay for its accord implementation will provide no benefit to the overseas students who will have to stump up. “This sends all the wrong messages about Australia as a welcoming, supportive study destination. In practice, we will be robbing Ranjit to pay for Richard. This is exploitation of overseas young people at its worst.” The visa fee hike, which the sector had been anticipating for several months, was a surprise omission from the May federal budget. Its sudden enforcement now is the latest body blow to an industry that had been recovering strongly from #Covid-19 border closures until the government unleashed a string of changes from late last year. They included ramping up visa rejections & slowing down visa processing for students enrolled with institutions rated as moderate or high immigration risk. The number of #universities with poor risk ratings rose sharply in April, partly because of the government’s visa processing changes. Canberra also plans to cap the number of #internationalstudents allowed at each university, in decisions personally overseen by the education minister, Jason Clare.” Asia Careers Group SDN BHD - Investing in International Futures AUIDF British Council BUILA Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao Innovative Research Universities (IRU) University Innovation Alliance (UIA) University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS) Regional Universities Network The Group of Eight UCAS UKCISA Universities Australia Universities Canada Universities UK Universities UK International

With age and experience comes the ability to compare the present with the past, and the present visa policy settings are not stacking up well! Read my latest opinion piece in The Koala News. #thekoalanews

Some concern in the #studentvisa community today, where there are reports of plans to impose higher visa application fees on international students along with other measures, such as capping student numbers. This is all in a bid for the Australian government to get net migration under control - high net migration posing discomfort to existing pressures experienced by Australia - eg housing/rent, cost of living, and infrastructure. 🔎 The Grattan Institute for example, recommended a student visa application fee increase from $710 to $2,500, which will be used in the proceeds to pay for an increase in commonwealth rent assistance. (https://lnkd.in/g85yHVDn) 🗞 The Australian Financial Review is reporting on this matter: have a read here: https://lnkd.in/gz8HT8pQ Your thoughts?

Following the recent hike for international student visa application fees, Australia’s education sector has criticised the move as a revenue-raising tactic under the guise of quality control, which is detrimental to international education. As noted in this article, Vicki Thomson from Group of Eight has noted how the increased price will further discourage international students and harm Australia’s education reputation. Do you think the recent price hike is an effective way to curb migration or a cash grab? #internationalstudents #studentfees #studentvisas

Wow, what a day light robbery under planning by government. Proposed increase of Student visa fees is absurd specially when there is no fair decisions being made on lodged applications. Refusing great profiles on grounds of copy paste decisions or even some one else decison record being used and proposing to charge $2000 per student visa application is nothing but looting hard earned money by international students and their parents overseas. In name of restoring integrity, such poor actions being taken which will just doesn’t impact education industry as whole but many around the eco system such as tourism, hospitality and more. Its big issues with only 3 year term in federal government, party in power always focus on migration and make temporary arrivals a scapegoat to get back in power instead of long term strategy in national economical interest. Over 200k Australians work in education industry so get ready for big restructuring around big education providers and associated businesses with job cuts around the nation.

The Ultimate Guide To Navigating The Student Visa Process Securing a student visa marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in your academic and personal development. Read more : https://lnkd.in/gD5PBiqa #visaprocess #studentvisa #australianiss

Important update for international students with stricter UK student visa regulations! Did you know that the UK government is introducing stricter measures to ensure that international students genuinely intend to study and are not using the system to enter the UK for other purposes? Key changes include enhanced scrutiny of student visa applications, tighter regulations on student work rights and more rigorous checks on educational institutions sponsoring international students. At Travelisa, we support measures that maintain a fair visa process and help ensure opportunities for students who are committed to their educational journey., Find out more about student visas for the UK at Travelisa! https://lnkd.in/equCQhRy #UKVisa #InternationalStudents #Education #ImmigrationReform #Travelisa

Breaking News: Australian Student Visa Application Charges Skyrocket! 🚀 The Australian government has announced a significant increase in student visa application charges, with fees soaring from AUD 710 to AUD 1600 effective July 1st, 2024, representing a staggering 225% hike. Stay informed about this visa fee price adjustment on the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs website: https://lnkd.in/g8FgciB6 While authorities assure that this adjustment aims to maintain educational standards and won't deter "talented students" from pursuing education in Australia, concerns arise regarding its potential impact on international students. The steep surge in fees may lead to a decline in enrollment, presenting financial and cultural challenges for educational providers. Have your say on this sudden change and its implications for international students and Australia's education sector. #Australia #StudentVisa #HigherEducation #InternationalStudents

Declarations to be made via the new student visa online form indicate the government may impose conditions 8534 or 8535 limiting a student’s ability to pursue an additional course via an application from within Australia. #internationaleducation #globaledcuation https://vist.ly/ss38

The Australian Government has announced an increase to the financial capacity requirement for international students. From 1 October 2023, student visa applicants will need to show evidence of AU$24,505 in savings. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gzkPZUtR #internationaleducation #intled #StudyAustralia #StudyInAustralia #AustralianEducation #InternationalStudents #StudentVisa