Visa rejection rates in Australia have spiked as some institutions withdraw admissions offers under new migration settings. As many as 1 in 5 international students had their visa applications rejected in the last two quarters of 2023.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the rejection of thousands of overseas students has contributed to a 20% decrease in student visa grants, marking the most substantial shift in two decades. The education program cut plays a major role in driving the overall migrant intake down to 375,000 this financial year, with projections of a further decline to 250,000 in the following year.
India, Nepal, and Pakistan, ranking as Australia's second, third, and ninth source markets, are particularly affected by these changes.
Australia's new migration strategy has stirred confusion and disruption within the international education sector, particularly impacting prospective students from key sending markets. The strategy, now in effect, has led to heightened visa rejection rates, slow processing times, and even rescinded offers from Australian institutions, leaving international students grappling with the repercussions.
The new migration settings demand that prospective students demonstrate a higher level of savings, enhanced English proficiency, and pass a "Genuine Student Test." However, concerns have arisen regarding the lack of transparency in visa approval processes. Some argue that rejections may be linked to the perceived disparity in job prospects between the students' home countries and Australia.
As institutions grapple with the fallout, there is growing concern about the high rejection rates being tied to their risk categorization. The government's warning that "higher risk" institutions would face slower visa processing times adds pressure, with institutions categorized as Level 3 experiencing the most uncertainty in meeting recruitment and admissions targets.
The government's plan to update the "risk list" further intensifies worries about extending enrollment offers to students who may face visa refusals. According to news reports, some universities have rescinded offers of enrolment while some others have narrowed down source countries.
