“International Fee-Paying Students in Australia would face new challenges in 2024”

Australia is considered to be one of the TOP study destinations for international students. The year 2023 has shown a huge surge in numbers of both student visa holders and migration visa holders in Australia where the total number for the year is double the average intake predicted per year. This has made the authorities look at the numbers critically. What they found was that there has been a systematic flouting of visa regulations by visa recipients, agents and even employers.

As for international students, the authorities found that there are a large number of student visa holders who are not genuine students. They stay for years on several student visa and mostly not studying but doing casual work. The Commonwealth is thus introducing new measures to ensure that those who seek student visa are genuine and once on shore they complete their studies as planned. As a result, the following will come into play from now on;

The educational institutions especially the universities and TAFE Colleges which are having government control will have very competent compliance officers who will go through applications lodged for enrolments are thoroughly scrutinised to ensure that they meet strict Genuine Student and Genuine Temporary Entry Criteria. They will only make offers if the student is genuinely wish to study in Australia and have financial capacity to complete such studies.

Students though are able to change a course or a provider with valid reasons after one semester and where applicable with a release granted by the first enrolled institution, the course they newly enroll must be in the same Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level or higher level to which they originally enrolled. There has been a trend for students enrolling in degree courses changing to diploma courses offered mainly by private colleges through so called “local agents”. These students thus have breached their 8202-student visa condition and are liable to have their visa cancelled.

Students who wish to enroll in degree courses through pathway diploma programmes will be more scrutinized by institutions conducting the diploma courses and action will be taken on any attempt to exit studies after the diploma without following the degree programme they enrolled into.

There will be greater scrutiny on private colleges enrolling students for courses of studies regarding the strict adherence to the conduct of the courses. The chances of obtaining student visa to enroll in private colleges will be much difficult

Students completing courses of studies and obtaining post study work visa to get related work experience have been seeking further student visa to extend their stay in Australia. Students on SC 485 post study work visa are no longer able to apply for student visa.

To receive a broader knowledge on these newly introduced regulations and to get a trustworthy guidance, we invite you to join the following two events when you can meet university representatives from Australian Universities along with Edlocate counsellors.

Colombo :

10th February – 11AM – 4PM Galadari – Colombo

Bougainvillea –

Kandy :

15th February – 2.30PM -5.30PM Royal Kandyan Hotel

With many years of experience on guiding students for Australian University enrollments and on student visa formalities, Edlocate counsellors had been working closely with the University representatives and admissions staff throughout the past years. Students attending our events will certainly benefit by getting to know how to achieve your dream career through an internationally recognised degree coupled with very valuable related work experience. The university representatives from all 6 states and ACT of Australia including all Universities “Group of 8” Universities, specialised institutes and pathway providers will be present at our events to give firsthand information and work though our counsellors to get you timely placements and recommend for scholarships. During past years Edlocate has successfully assisted many high achieving students to secure scholarships (some even up to 100%) for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Edlocate will assist students to sit IELTS/ PTE by arranging coaching classes, handle enrolment from the inception, lodge visa applications all with no professional fee charged. We are also in a position to assist with visa extensions, obtaining visit visa for immediate family members and post study visa guidance etc through our partner company PAC Associates.

Due to the high demand for these sessions, entrance will be strictly limited to genuine students who pre-register. Upon registration, the student will receive a QR code which will be their official pass for the event. Parents are invited to join students.

For further details and for registrations, please contact 0742871734 / 0771770361 (Colombo), 0766269093 (Kandy) or register for the event through our Facebook page, Edlocate (Pvt) Ltd.

The educational institutions especially the universities and TAFE Colleges which are having government control will have very competent compliance officers who will go through applications lodged for enrolments are thoroughly scrutinized to ensure that they meet strict Genuine Student and Genuine Temporary Entry Criteria. They will only make offers if the student is genuinely wish to study in Australia and have financial capacity to complete such studies.