New education body calls for Australian student visa reform
July 14 2010 by Liam Clifford
Changes proposed to existing rules
A new education body in Australia is calling for changes to the country’s student visa policies.
The Council of International Students Australia (CISA) is
putting pressure on the Australian immigration department to loosen restrictions
on students’ rights to work in Australia.
Since the government narrowed
the professions that carry with them the chance for permanent residency, fewer
students currently studying in Australia will be able to remaining living and
working in Australia after they graduate.
CISA president, Robert
Atcheson, explained why this could be seen as unfair: "They have come here under
a legislative expectation that if they complete their studies they would be
eligible to apply for permanent residency, and they are already here and have
already paid their fees."
The government says that the new restrictions
are intended to stop colleges offering places on fake courses to help people
gain Australian visas. However, it said that students hit by the changes in
policy would be given an 18-month Australian work visa that they can use to try
to gain employment experience and sponsorship.
Despite these measures,
educational institutions are concerned that the changes could damage Australia’s
reputation as a great place to study.
See the latest Immigration News
