The Albanese government has more than doubled the international student visa application fee from $710 to $1,600 in the latest measure to reduce arrivals to Australia.However, Labor is preparing to water down the measure for Pacific neighbours and Timor-Leste, with a government spokesperson revealing “special arrangements will be put in place recognising Australia’s close relationship” with these countries.
May’s budget projects that this number will fall to 260,000 in 2024-25, as the government applies a series of measures to reduce arrivals, including caps on international student numbers. “Many other providers are terminating employees. This isn’t just a massive hit to the Australian economy but real people with real jobs.”
From 1 July a range of reforms take effect including increasing the minimum wage for temporary workers to qualify for a skilled visa to $73,150, shortening the duration of temporary graduate visas and reducing the age eligibility.