Ending ‘Visa Hopping’ in the Migration System

Australia’s migration system is facing significant changes as the government introduces stricter visa regulations aimed at curbing exploitation and improving planning.

From 1 July 2024, Visitor Visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore. The visitor to student pathway has become increasingly prevalent, with over 36,000 applications since 1 July 2023 to the end of May 2024.

Also, Temporary Graduate Visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore from 1 July 2024.

In addition to existing visas from which it is already not possible to apply for a Student visa onshore, the complete list of visa holders that will be unable to apply for a Student visa onshore are:

• Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
• Subclass 600 (Visitor)
• Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
• Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
• Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
• Subclass 771 (Transit)
• Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
• Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
• Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) International Relations)) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
• Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)

Quotes attributable to Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O’Neil

“The migration system we inherited was completely broken, and our goal is to build a smaller, better planned, more strategic migration system that works for Australia.

“Our Migration Strategy outlines a clear plan to close the loopholes in international education and this is the next step in delivering that plan.

“We need a migration system which delivers the skills we need, but doesn’t trade in rorts, loopholes and exploitation.”