AUSTRALIAN universities will be more attractive to overseas students under new visa rules to be adopted in time for the second semester of 2012, the government says.
The federal government announced on Thursday it will streamline visa processing for students enrolling in Australian universities.
Financial requirements for student visas will be eased, so applicants will need about $36,000 less in their bank account than they do now.
And new post-study work visas will allow students to remain in Australia for two to four years after their course ends, depending on their level of qualification.
But the student visa criteria will be tightened slightly so applicants will have to prove they are genuine students and genuine about returning home.
The changes follow a review of the student visa program led by former NSW government minister Michael Knight and the government has accepted all 41 of his recommendations.
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"It's not enough to be genuine about your studies and have no intention of going home, nor is it enough to be genuine about going home but not serious about your studies," Mr Knight said.
Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans said the changes would help Australian universities be more competitive in the international market.
"They have articulated for a long time that the visa processes are a barrier to attracting students in an increasingly competitive environment," he told reporters.
Contrary to perceptions, international student numbers across the education sector had continued to grow in the past year, though providers expected 2012 to be tough.
That was partly because of the old visa system and factors such as the high Australian dollar.
But Senator Evans said the sector's previous growth rate was unsustainable and could not continue.
"I think we had some of those problems with student welfare because the system had just grown too quickly," he said.
"This will help put this sector on a very good footing to continue to grow."
Australian institutions could now compete on the basis of their education offerings and not be hindered by any visa requirements.
Mr Knight said it was important to strike a balance between the economic benefits brought by international students and protecting the integrity of migration controls.
- AAP
Friday, September 23, 2011
International student visa changes 'biased' towards unis: TAFE
THE federal government's changes to international student visas have been generally welcomed by the education sector, but TAFE directors say the move is disappointing because it favours universities.
On Thursday the government announced it would streamline the visa process for students who want to study a bachelor's degree or higher.
It will also lower the financial requirements for some applicants and introduce new post-study work visas for students who complete a bachelor's degree or higher.
TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) said the review of the visa system by former NSW government minister Michael Knight had sent mixed signals to students interested in studying in Australia.
It said Mr Knight's report was "disappointingly one-sided" in favour of universities.
The organisation also said TAFE institutes would meet eight of the nine factors Mr Knight used to justify giving universities special treatment.
"On the one hand, the Knight Report recognised the high quality of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system, and yet the recommendations clearly discriminate against international students wishing to study in this area," it said in a statement.
However, TDA chief executive Martin Riordan said he was encouraged that Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans had included his organisation on a panel to further review details of the visa system.
The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) was also disappointed at the perceived bias towards universities.
Chief executive Claire Field said international students did not and should not have to only choose university studies when coming to Australia.
However, she generally thought the changes would strengthen the higher education sector overall.
"We look forward to working closely with the federal government on the fast implementation so that we can get Australia's international education sector back on track," she said in a statement.
Other organisations, including business representatives Australian Industry Group, welcomed the visa changes wholeheartedly.
The Group of Eight, which represents the Australia's top research universities, said a risk assessment component that recognised high-quality providers would give a sound basis for growth.
"Changes to the risk framework send a clear message that Australian education providers are responsible for ensuring that they uphold quality," chairman Paul Greenfield said in a statement.
Student representative bodies including the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations also applauded the changes.
"The recommendations of the Knight Review will help international students contribute to the cosmopolitan style of our universities," said that organisation's president, John Nowakowski, in a statement.
Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/international-student-visa-changes-biased-towards-unis-tafe/story-e6frgcjx-1226144429513
On Thursday the government announced it would streamline the visa process for students who want to study a bachelor's degree or higher.
It will also lower the financial requirements for some applicants and introduce new post-study work visas for students who complete a bachelor's degree or higher.
TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) said the review of the visa system by former NSW government minister Michael Knight had sent mixed signals to students interested in studying in Australia.
It said Mr Knight's report was "disappointingly one-sided" in favour of universities.
The organisation also said TAFE institutes would meet eight of the nine factors Mr Knight used to justify giving universities special treatment.
"On the one hand, the Knight Report recognised the high quality of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system, and yet the recommendations clearly discriminate against international students wishing to study in this area," it said in a statement.
However, TDA chief executive Martin Riordan said he was encouraged that Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans had included his organisation on a panel to further review details of the visa system.
The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) was also disappointed at the perceived bias towards universities.
Chief executive Claire Field said international students did not and should not have to only choose university studies when coming to Australia.
However, she generally thought the changes would strengthen the higher education sector overall.
"We look forward to working closely with the federal government on the fast implementation so that we can get Australia's international education sector back on track," she said in a statement.
Other organisations, including business representatives Australian Industry Group, welcomed the visa changes wholeheartedly.
The Group of Eight, which represents the Australia's top research universities, said a risk assessment component that recognised high-quality providers would give a sound basis for growth.
"Changes to the risk framework send a clear message that Australian education providers are responsible for ensuring that they uphold quality," chairman Paul Greenfield said in a statement.
Student representative bodies including the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations also applauded the changes.
"The recommendations of the Knight Review will help international students contribute to the cosmopolitan style of our universities," said that organisation's president, John Nowakowski, in a statement.
Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/international-student-visa-changes-biased-towards-unis-tafe/story-e6frgcjx-1226144429513
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