The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia has called for urgent changes to Australia’s visa framework to better support international students in completing their studies. The proposed changes primarily revolve around the Subclass 408 visa, which allows foreign students to work in Australia without finalizing their studies.
In a call for an urgent revamp of Australia’s visa framework, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia, the representative body for independent providers in the education sector, urges changes that would better assist international students in completing their studies.
This demand stems from concerns over the Subclass 408 visa, originally a temporary solution during the COVID-19 pandemic for those unable to return to their home countries.
The visa’s successive amendments by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, without extensive consultation, have prompted some international students to switch to the Subclass 408 visa, enabling them to work in Australia without finalizing their studies. ITECA Chief Executive, Troy Williams, underscores that this path does not serve students who primarily intended to pursue educational goals in Australia.
To rectify this, ITECA proposes two core recommendations to the Australian Government. Firstly, international students should only be eligible for the Subclass 408 visa upon successful completion of their studies. This would ensure that academic pursuits are prioritized before transitioning to full-time work in Australia. Secondly, once a student moves onto the Subclass 408 visa, they should be prohibited from applying for any new visas while still in Australia. This measure aims to encourage well-informed decisions regarding their educational and career paths.
The proposed changes could better position students at the heart of the international education sector and the associated visa framework. They are also expected to empower international students by encouraging them to complete their studies before entering full-time work, fostering a foundation of knowledge and expertise.
Independent tertiary education providers, supporting more than 404,000 enrolments, equivalent to 55 percent of all international student enrolments in tertiary education, have significant stakes in these changes. Williams emphasized that these challenges are not the fault of the students, but rather the visa framework’s issues.
As the Australian Government ponders ITECA’s recommendations, the global community eagerly awaits the potential reshaping of Australia’s visa system, fostering an environment where international students can excel academically and contribute meaningfully to global growth.
