The Sydney Morning Herald reported on April 22 that the federal government has tightened visa policies to reduce the number of immigrants, resulting in students from certain countries being "blacklisted" by universities. This also includes one of Australia's top eight universities, many of which have introduced drastic measures to prohibit or restrict the refusal of students from high-risk countries, such as India and Nepal.
Since the end of last year, the federal government has prioritised visa applications from low-risk institutions. Earlier this month, the federal government updated the risk ratings of Australian higher education institutions, with 10 institutions being raised.
In a letter to education agents, the University of Adelaide said it would only accept applications from Indian undergraduates under the age of 20, and that the upper age limit could be relaxed to 22 if the applicant had credits in hand. In addition, the university also refuses to accept applications from any Indian student who has been refused a visa from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom.
(Image source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Central Queensland University, a Level 2 risk institution, has written to the intermediary saying that it will no longer offer English courses for Indian and Nepalese students. The university no longer admits any applicants from outside India and Nepal who are over the age of 25 and/or married, except for postgraduate students.
"In order to control the level of risk as much as possible, we need to take these measures now. ”
(Image source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Edith Cowan University kept its Level 2 risk unchanged, but said in an email that it would no longer accept applications from Indian, Nepalese or Pakistani students for English or academic pathway programs due to increased scrutiny by the Home Office.
Affiliated Edith Cowan College also sent an email telling the agent that it would no longer accept applications from Pakistani and Indian citizens for certain diploma programs.
A high refusal rate can lead to an increase in the risk level of universities, which has led institutions to restrict students from countries with a high risk of refusal.
Although top institutions can recruit students from high-risk countries such as India through a streamlined process, secondary and tertiary universities have more complex vetting of students.
The latest data from the Home Office shows that in the year to March, overseas student visa refusals hit a record high, while the approval rate fell to an all-time low of 78.4%.
Western Sydney University lowered its risk rating from the highest level to Level 2 this week after some students cancelled their registrations at the start of the semester to minimise visa refusals.
(Image source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
The University of New England, located in remote NSW, has been reduced from Level 2 to a minimum of Level 3.
Chancellor Chris Moran said the federal government's reforms are seriously impacting the university's ability to recruit international students.
"The new visa rules have hit small institutions particularly hard. ”
A spokesperson for Charles Sturt University said the university would actively adjust its screening criteria for bona fide students in line with clear trends and Home Office recommendations, and expressed concerns about current visa approval practices.
"We call on the government to overhaul the current institution-based risk-based model to level the playing field for all students and institutions. ”
"Visa approvals have become extremely unpredictable, with refusal rates in the higher education sector at their highest levels in at least 20 years. In response, a spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the government was working with the education sector to help institutions cope with the changes. "We will not apologize for these reforms, though, because they are done to protect the integrity and reputation of the system. ”