Oz to review student visa programme

 
The sector had come under increasing pressure as a result of the rising value of the Australian dollar, the impact of the global financial crisis abroad and growing competition from the United States, New Zealand and Canada for international students, Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans said on Thursday while announcing the decision.

“The size and nature of the international education sector has also changed dramatically over the past decade and it is critical that we take a whole-of-government approach in responding to these changes,” he said. Former New South Wales Labor politician Michael Knight has been appointed to head up the review and report to Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and Evans by mid next-year.

His task will be to recommend more effective frameworks between key players and requirements for student visa applicants.

“The review will look at ways to better manage immigration risk in the student visa caseload and deter breaches and misuse of the programme, as well as consider the suitability of separate visas for different education sectors,” Bowen said.

“The government is also introducing a package of measures to streamline the visa application process for lower risk cohorts while continuing to uphold the integrity of the programme,” Bowen added.