Australia tightens study visa rules, effective from March 23

Australia is set to enact major changes to its immigration policies concerning student visas, aligning itself with similar measures adopted by Canada and the UK.

Effective March 23, the current Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for student visas will be supplanted by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

This decision, announced on December 11, will solely affect visa applications submitted after March 23, 2024.

Here are the major changes in procuring student visas that will come into effect tomorrow onwards:

Stricter language requirements: Under the new regulations, attaining a Temporary Graduate visa will necessitate an IELTS score of 6.5 instead of the previous 6.0. Similarly, for a student visa, the requirement will elevate from IELTS 5.5 to 6.0.

Financial criteria augmented: Prospective applicants will now be mandated to present evidence of savings amounting to $24,505, marking a significant increase from prior financial stipulations.

Focus on genuine intentions: The forthcoming GS requirement will scrutinise students' genuine intentions to pursue studies in



Australia, evaluating various factors such as course progression, immigration history, and adherence to visa conditions.

New genuine student test: The Australian government is set to introduce a fresh genuine student test for all international students, replacing the existing GTE requirement. Additionally, high-risk student applications will undergo heightened scrutiny.

According to government data, a significant number of Indian students—100,009 in 2022—were enrolled in Australian institutions.

However, there are concerns among experts that the implementation of the new rules could potentially impede the acceptance rates of visa applications from Indian students.

The Australian government's move to revamp its visa regulations underscores its commitment to bolstering the integrity of its education system and ensuring that international students genuinely intend to pursue studies in the country.

While these measures aim to enhance the quality of education and the overall student experience, their impact on prospective students, particularly from India, remains a topic of keen observation.