On Monday, Australia announced plans to tighten its visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers. This measure is part of a broader effort by the government to revamp what it considers a “broken” immigration system.
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- Why did Australia decide to tighten Visa rules?
- What were the immigration numbers in 2022-2023?
- What did Prime Minister Anthony Albanese say?
Why did Australia decide to tighten Visa rules?
The decision is influenced by the anticipation of a significant decline in net immigration, with projections suggesting a decline from a peak of 510,000 in 2022-23 to around a quarter of a million in 2024-25 and 2025-26.
These levels align more closely with pre-COVID numbers.
“We have worked day and night to achieve the best balance in Australia’s immigration system,” “Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said in a statement ahead of the formal publication of the government’s new immigration strategy later on Monday.
“Specific government reforms are already putting downward pressure on net overseas migration and will further contribute to this expected decline,” O’Neil said.
What were the immigration numbers in 2022-2023?
According to O’Neil, the increase in net overseas migration during 2022-23 was mainly attributed to the influx of international students. In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia has increased its annual migration numbers to help essential businesses hire staff to address shortages.
The pandemic had prompted stricter border controls, keeping international students and workers out of the country for nearly two years.
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What did Prime Minister Anthony Albanese say?
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need to reduce Australia’s migration numbers to a “sustainable level”, saying the current system is “broken”.
Australia, known for its tight labor market, has traditionally relied on immigration.
The Labor government is now working to streamline the entry of highly skilled workers and ease their path to permanent residency. The changes include stricter English testing requirements for international students and the removal of provisions allowing extended stays.
Additionally, a specialized visa for highly skilled workers will be introduced, with a faster processing time of one week. This initiative aims to help companies attract the best talents, especially considering the competitive landscape with other developed economies.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn