Minister for Human Services
Minister for Education
The Morrison Government is making a number of changes to student visa arrangements to ensure that Australia remains a priority destination for international students as we emerge from the COVID-19 epidemic.
International students are very important to Australia and our economy, contributing $ 40 billion annually and supporting 250,000 jobs. Many are becoming better Australian citizens.
While closing our international borders has been crucial to our success in reducing the spread of the corona virus, even though Australia has been a leader in this regard, it has posed challenges to academia and students.
These five visa changes will ensure that international students are not harmed by the corona virus infection and that Australia competes with other countries.
The changes are as follows:
The government will again recommend issuing student visas everywhere in Australia. This means that when the borders reopen, students will already have visas and can make travel arrangements.
If they are unable to complete their studies within their original visa validation due to COVID-19, international students can also submit a free student visa application.
Holders of current student visas studying online outside Australia due to COVID-19 can calculate the Australian study requirement for a postgraduate study work visa after that study.
Graduates holding a student visa will be eligible to apply for a postgraduate work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Applicants will be given extra time to deliver English language results that have disrupted access to these services.
Alan Dudge, executive minister for immigration, citizenship, immigration services and multicultural affairs, said the changes already guarantee international students in Australia and those unable to travel due to the COVID-19 border closure.
“These measures will bring back the international education sector – our fourth largest export sector, and help its recovery,” Mr Dudge said.
“In making these changes, we are guided by the principles that the health of Australians is paramount, but international students should not be further behind by COVID-19.
“We are a welcome country with a world-class education system and the lowest rates of COVID-19 in the world. We want students to study here and welcome them back in a safe and measured way while being safe.
“Doing so will not only support the education sector, but also affect many local communities and businesses, including shelter services, tourism, hospitality and retail.”
Education Minister Dan Dehan said the changes would give international students confidence about their visa arrangements, so they plan to study in Australia while they are safe.
“Our significant efforts in controlling the spread of the virus may begin to welcome international students in a cowardly way once state borders reopen and face-to-face learning resumes,” Mr Tehan said.
“In addition to supporting jobs, international education builds our connectivity with the rest of the world and supports many important industries such as health, age and disability care.”
The government has previously relaxed work restrictions for international students working in the health, age and disability care sectors during COVID-19 epidemics. COVID-19 epidemic is flexible in cases where international students are prevented from fulfilling their visa conditions, i.e. are unable to attend classes in person.