Changes in Australian Visa attract more overseas students

by Manisha Verma

The Australian government has announced some important changes in student visa requirements. The changes are suggested in a response to the report by the Michael Knight AO on the strategic Review of student Visa programme 2011, which was recently released.

Since 2009, the safety issue had concerned Indian Students. As a result, Australia had lost its position as one of the most sought after study abroad destination among Indian students. However, a research by the Australian government in 2010 revealed that a large number of international students in Australia are happy with their present academic and living experience. For higher education, student’s satisfaction with living and studying was 86% and 84% respectively.

Michael Gallagher, CEO, Group of Eight (G08), said, “Importantly, not one of the research students from India who participated in the survey had experienced any form of racial discrimination or intolerance while in Australia.”

In fact, paying attention to this issue, Universities in Australia have adopted a 10-point action plan for student safety recommendations developed by the deputy and pro-vice-chancellors (international) from Australian Universities. The plan give more stress over strong law enforcement, plus necessary complementary actions and affirms the crucial importance of inter national integration through education, among others.

However, according to education consultants, overseas counsellors, and prospective students, the new changes are going to make big difference. As Paul Greenfield, chair Go8, points out, “The review has recognised that Australia’s universities are high quality, low risk providers, and changes to the risk framework send a clear message that Australian education providers are responsible for ensuring that they uphold quality.”

According to the reform, it will ensure that students who are from India are treated on a same level with the students applying from the US, UK, Canada and Singapore. Moreover, the Australian visa authorities are making the visa procedure simpler in terms of financial requirements.

Elaborating more about the visa changes Fred Hilmer, vice-chancellor and Jennie Lang, pro-vice-chancellor (international), University of New South Wales (UNSW), said, Indian students will now be graded at the highest assessment level, hence the amount of up-front funds required will be significantly reduced by up to AUD $36,000."

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