VSure

We've just published a blog analysing the stats on temporary holders in . The data comes from Data.gov.au via Home Affairs and it is really interesting. There were over 2.8m visa holders in Australia as at February 29 including 713,000 holders!

Australian Temporary Visa Holder Statistics February 29, 2024 - vSure In this article we dissect the temporary visa data published by data.gov.au as at the end of July 2023 and take a look at the trends

We often get asked about the obligation on Australian employers with regards to checking the of New Zealand citizens. In this article we have a look employing citizens in Australia
https://loom.ly/3c3Cw0A

Employing NZ Citizens in Australia on Special Category 444 Visas Work rights and employing NZ citizens in Australia on a Special Category Subclass 444 visa

We get loads of questions about bridging and what if any work rights apply. In this article we break down the different types of and what work rights apply to each?
https://loom.ly/AqN2ja8

Can you / your Employee Work on a Bridging Visa? It can be complicated to know whether someone on a bridging visa can legally work in Australia. It depends on the type of bridging visa and previous visa.

There is a bit of confusion in the market around & when the 8104/8105 "48 hours per fortnight" limitation applies. The rules are different for secondary (8104) compared to the primary (8105). This article should clear things up

Can a person work on a Student Visa? Can a student work on a study visa? Information on work rights for student visa holders in Australia including visa conditions

Today we're at at thanks to
We're giving away 3 vouchers today. Come and enter the draw!

Our MD has dissected some of the data on the current state of temporary holders in . It makes for interesting reading!
The headline: International are well and truly back in Australia!
Take a look 👀⬇️

Australian Temporary Visa Holder Statistics July 31, 2023 - vSure In this article we dissect the temporary visa data published by data.gov.au as at the end of July 2023 and take a look at the trends

The institution has announced it is celebrating over 100 years of hosting the first international students on its campuses, organizing various activities and events during the second semester on this occasion. The University of Sydney was established in 1850 and is one of the oldest universities in Australia. According to the News & World Report, it has nearly 50,000 students, of which about 20,860 are international.
https://loom.ly/lAE2C68

University of Sydney Celebrates a Century of Welcoming International Students — Erudera For over 100 years, the University of Sydney has opened its doors to students from all corners of the world.

Australia has managed to cut down the wait time of many of its popular visas to days, including student visas and temporary skilled visas. "The Department is streamlining Australia’s visa systems and process leading to big reductions in average visa processing times across a number of categories," the Australian Department of Home Affairs said in a statement earlier this month.
https://loom.ly/SqEAxZ8

These Australian visas are now being processed within days "The Department is streamlining Australias visa systems and process leading to big reductions in average visa processing times across a number of categories," the Australian Department of Home Affairs said in a statement earlier this month.

The low number of visas granted does not mean that all of the other applications have been refused. Under changes to the law made in 2014, the Minister for Immigration can now place a ‘cap’ on protection visas issued to refugees in any year.
This ‘cap’ sets a limit on the number of visas that can be granted. This means that, even if a person is recognised as a refugee in Australia, they cannot be granted a visa until the following yea
https://loom.ly/MjtmpvQ

Asylum statistics in Australia - Refugee Council of Australia Get asylum statistics in Australia for asylum seekers in Australia - where they come from, where they live, and how many are granted protection.

Listen to SBS Sinhala Radio's discussion on how the post-study work period has been extended for Australia's 485 visa and eligible courses.
https://loom.ly/ktW3RKI

Here are the courses that can extend the post-study work period for 485 visa in Australia Here are the courses that can extend the post-study work period for 485 visa in Australia

The Department is streamlining Australia’s visa systems and process leading to big reductions in average visa processing times across a number of categories.
✅ Student visas – within 16 days
✅ Temporary Skilled Shortage 482 visas – within 21 days
✅ Employer Sponsored Skilled program: healthcare and education – within one day
✅ Working Holiday visa (outside of Australia) – within one day
https://loom.ly/Z-h_MK8

Immigration and citizenship Website Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

Urgent changes to Australia’s visa framework are required, ones that support international students to complete their studies. The changes are being recommended by the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.
https://loom.ly/SuTBJLw

A Visa Framework That Supports International Students In Their Studies Urgent changes to Australia’s visa framework are required, ones that support international students to complete their studies. The changes are being

Every year, the world's passports are ranked according to how much power they wield.
And Australia's just got more powerful. International citizen assistance firm, Henley & Partners, unveiled the list for 2023, and there's been a big shake-up in the number-one spot. The Henley Passport Index is based on how many places people with those passports can access without a visa. But the total score also includes countries that require passport holders to obtain a visa upon arrival, a visitor's permit or an electronic travel authority.
https://loom.ly/aJc4HzM

Singapore has overtaken Japan as the world's most powerful passport. Where does Australia sit? Australia's passport just became more powerful. Here's where it, and other countries, rank according to The Henley Passport Index.

From July 1 onwards, the Australian Government will provide 3000 work visas for Indian students without any sponsorship for eight years. This is under the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme. Professionals from the fields of STEM including Engineering, IT and Communication Technology, AI, Fintech, renewable energy, and mining are primarily eligible under this scheme.
https://loom.ly/CW1-hAQ

Australia's new student visa changes explained in detail by expert Further, the country is also planning to smoothen the path to permanent residency, as it is overhauling its immigration system to meet worker shortages

Beginning July 1, Indian graduates studying in Australian tertiary institutions will be able to apply for work without visa sponsorship for up to eight years. In addition, the allowable work-hour cap for international students will be increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight, along with a two-year work visa extension.
https://loom.ly/Kt8p_9U

New visa rules for Indian students in Australia, work-hour cap from July 1 Indian graduates studying in Australian tertiary institutions will be able to apply for work without visa sponsorship for up to eight years

To apply for an Australian visa, international students are required to pass one of five accepted English language tests. But even after they have passed and completed study in Australia, they must retake tests to enter some workplaces or undertake further study in Australia, such as master’s or PhDs.
https://loom.ly/-pq1YQw

Australia’s international students cry foul over demands to take $400 English test multiple times Students claim conflict of interest because universities have financial interests in language tests, while Greens argue system has ‘xenophobic undertones’

The Australian international education sector has come under fire recently after a parliamentary committee found out that many vocational and education training (VET) providers are allegedly working with overseas education agents in order to steal students from major public institutions, sell work visas, and open lower-tier, lesser-known colleges wherein students don't have to go to classes for degrees.
https://loom.ly/x2P0R4U

‘Study Visa Not Low-Rent Work Visa,’ Says Australian MP Amid Restrictions On Indian Students In Australia Hall's statement has assumed significance in light of reports that Indian students from certain states in India have been restricted by certain Australian universities.

July 1 brings a host of changes to Australian visas and for 2023-24.
SBS News provides a great review of all the changes happening NEXT WEEKEND

https://loom.ly/A8D2hHE

Australian visa changes for 2023-24 After a review of Australia’s migration system and the government’s federal budget, here are the visa changes and opportunities coming into effect this year.

Next week not only sees the end of financial year in Australia, but the end of the COVID-driven relaxation of limitations, particularly and

https://loom.ly/xmjdpXo

Honeymoon for Student and Working Holiday Visa Work Restrictions to End on 1 July 2023 - vSure The Australian Department Of Home Affairs will re-apply work rights limitations for students and working holiday makers from July 1 2023.

According to the report, students from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh will no longer be recruited by Federation University in Victoria and Western Sydney University in New South Wales.
The decision was made as rejection rates for Indian candidates at all Australian universities rose to their highest level in ten years. Additionally, one in four applications is currently being labelled as “fraudulent” or “non-genuine,” according to the Department of Home Affairs.
https://loom.ly/MH3OjKE

Two More Australian Universities Ban Student Applications From Certain Indian States The ban was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald two days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese signed a migration deal to "promote the exchange of students, graduates, researchers and business people".

International student Abigail Ildefonso says the re-introduction of a cap on the number of hours international students can work is "unfair" and will lead to financial hardship. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, student visa holders were restricted to working no more than 40 hours a fortnight. During the pandemic, the cap was removed altogether. However, from July 1, the government will reinstate the cap, slightly increasing it to 48 hours a fortnight.
https://loom.ly/yxto_cM

From July 1, a working-hour cap will be reimposed on international students. Some are calling it 'unfair' Student visa holders in Australia will soon be restricted to working no more than 48 hours per fortnight, a move that some say will cause significant hardship.

Australia’s international education system has been accused of being a “Ponzi scheme,” with critics claiming international students have been exploited for financial gain. According to a parliamentary inquiry, overseas education agents are incentivized with bonuses to attract international students to Australia, guaranteeing the latter full-time jobs in the country, The Guardian reports.
https://loom.ly/kgn91Ls

Bonuses to Attract Students: Australia’s Int’l Education Sector Accused of Fraudulent Practices — Erudera Australia’s international education system has been accused of being a “Ponzi scheme,” with critics claiming international students have been exploited for financial gain.

Australia’s international education sector is recovering from pandemic losses, but it has not rebounded to pre-pandemic performance yet according to new data from Austrade. Australian institutions enrolled 619,370 foreign students in 2022. This is up 8% over 2021 but is down 18% since 2019.
https://loom.ly/C1YH5EY

International students are returning to Australia but not yet at pre-pandemic levels - ICEF Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment Australia’s international education sector is recovering from pandemic losses, but it has not rebounded to pre-pandemic performance yet according to new data from Austrade. Australian institutions enrolled 619,370 foreign students in 2022. This is up 8% over 2021 but is down 18% since 2019. Commen...

As an International student influencer, I'm aware that applying for an Australian student visa can be a stressful process. While making an application, aspiring students often tend to make many mistakes that might lead to visa refusals. Let’s discuss 5 reasons why your Australian Visa might get rejected!
https://loom.ly/IM9azsc

Studying in Australia? Here are five reasons why your student visa might get rejected While making an application, aspiring students often tend to make many mistakes that might lead to visa refusals in Australia.

International students have been arriving in Australia on university courses and then switching to vocational or private colleges which have more flexible study options to benefit from the country’s uncapped work rights, an agent association has warned.
https://loom.ly/tkx-veE

Australia: students switching to vocational courses for uncapped work rights International students in Australia have been switching to vocational or private colleges to benefit from Australia's uncapped work rights, an agent association has warned.

The Albanese Government has since announced that it will reintroduce the work cap on international students from 1 July. However, this cap will be 24 hours a week, up from 20 hours previously in a bid to make Australia more attractive.
Hence, the student visa system will continue to be abused as a defacto low-skilled work visa. Students from South Asia have dominated the recent arrivals, since they value work rights above everything else when choosing a study destination:
https://loom.ly/zpUrAck

International students demand Aussie jobs Late last year, Labor backbencher Julian Hill warned that Australia’s international education system had become a “ponzi scheme” because it was enticing non-genuine students with easy work rights and permanent residency. “Uncapped work rights is being misused by agents in many parts of the w...

International students are continuing to return to Australia in ever-increasing numbers the threat of border closures dissipates and students are once again reminded of the benefits of studying ‘down under’.
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows more than 59,000 students came to Australia in January – more than double the number in the same period last year – while provisional estimates have almost 143,000 returning in February.
https://loom.ly/7ufPcp0

International Students Flocking back To Australia International students are continuing to return to Australia in ever-increasing numbers the threat of border closures dissipates and students are once again reminded of the benefits of studying ‘down under’. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows more than 59,000 students came t...

Some Australian universities and vocational colleges have temporarily blocked new student applications from the north Indian states of Punjab and Haryana amid soaring visa refusals and academic performance concerns. However, some experts say the move punishes genuine students who deserve a ‘fair go’.
https://loom.ly/ln5fqz8

'Grossly unfair': Australian universities urged to lift recruitment ban on students from north India Some Australian universities and vocational colleges have temporarily blocked new student applications from the north Indian states of Punjab and Haryana amid soaring visa refusals and academic performance concerns. However, some experts say the move punishes genuine students who deserve a ‘fair.....

About 20 organizations in Australia and New Zealand trialed the four-day work week for six months from August last year. Senators backed the concept and said they should try it for a year, as well as double up the amount of parental leave, according to The Guardian.
"The work-life balance is incredible," said American TikToker Chris who now lives in Australia. He said in a TikTok discussing the differences between the US and Australia are his "absolute favorite talking points."
https://loom.ly/kTCGerc

Here's a look at how work-life balance compares in the US, France, Australia, and the UK Americans are working more hours per year annually, but some Europeans say they're making much less and have more flexible paid leave.

Starting July 1, 2023, the Australian government will be granting international higher education graduates with eligible qualifications an extra two years of post-study work rights (under subclass 485). Furthermore, as part of the government’s transitional arrangements, eligible international students whose Temporary Graduate Visas will expire between September 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023, as well as Temporary Graduate Visa holders who remained in Australia contributing to the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be able to access a two-year Pandemic event (subclass 408) visa. These extensions are in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live and work in regional areas. Lastly, the government will also increase the work hours cap for all international students from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight.
https://loom.ly/nxF5DT4

Australia: Extended Post-Study Work Rights and Increased Working Hour Cap for Student Visa Holders Starting July 1, 2023, the Australian government will be granting international higher education graduates with eligible qualifications an extra two years of post-study work rights (under subclass 485). Furthermore, as part of the government’s transitional arrangements, eligible international stud...