WHV Participants, Including Indonesians, Most Affected by Australia's Migration Changes
Australia has announced several changes to its migration policies, particularly concerning student, tourist, and Working Holiday Visas (WHV). The announcement was made by Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke at the National Press Club on Thursday (17/09).
Tony stated that these policies were introduced because Australia aims to regulate the number of arrivals and is determined not to allow visa hopping as a means to reside in Australia for longer periods.
Below is a summary of the changes.
Work and Holiday Visa (WHV)
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that Work and Holiday Visa (WHV) participants must participate in a ballot or lottery system when applying for second and third-year visas. The government will limit the quota for the second-year WHV to 45,000, down from 57,000 participants. The quota for second-year stays will be capped at 45,000, and applicants are still required to complete 88 days of regional work to qualify for the ballot. For the third year, the ballot will be limited to only 5,000 places, with the requirement of completing six months of regional work to qualify.
These rules will not affect WHV participants from the United Kingdom, who are protected under a free trade agreement. Tony noted that not everyone will be able to remain in Australia after their first year, as the government needs to maintain “control and certainty regarding these figures.” He added that the Australian government will prioritise workers in the agriculture, construction, fisheries, and teaching sectors.
Student and Post-Study Visas
ABC previously reported that most international students will not be permitted to bring their families to Australia. “For anyone whose family is already listed on their visa and is already here, we will not separate families already within the country,” he said. However, this rule will exclude students from ASEAN countries, such as Indonesia, as well as the Pacific region, and for certain study programmes, such as doctoral (PhD) programmes. “They can bring their families. The living situations for students in those categories are often very different,” Tony remarked regarding those exempted.
Tony stated that the government will crack down on the practice of switching visas for study programmes at the same or lower levels. “One common example of this visa-hopping practice is when someone completes one study programme and then moves to the next, and so on,” said Tony. “One of the worst examples is when they move to a lower level at an educational institution of questionable credibility.” He stated that the government will implement rules requiring students to progress to higher qualification levels.
Tourist Visas
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the federal government will include ‘No Further Stay’ provisions for tourist visas. This means those entering on a tourist visa must leave Australia when their visa expires. Under the ‘No Further Stay’ condition, they cannot apply for any type of visa, whether temporary or permanent, from within Australia.
Visa Overstayers
The Home Affairs Minister explained who must leave Australia immediately. He also intends to take firm action against migration agents, who may face sanctions or the revocation of their licences if they encourage clients to make claims that “lack a strong basis.”
Tony stated that those who overstay their visas will be targeted by the government in this immigration system overhaul. “We cannot allow people with official status to exploit their position to encourage others to engage in actions that abuse the system,” he said. He also announced that the government will detain and deport individuals who remain in Australia after their visas have expired. “When someone stays beyond their visa expiry, we will bring them to a detention centre, issue a temporary visa, and request that they leave. If they still do not leave, they will be returned to a detention centre, and within a few weeks, they will arrange their own flights and depart.”