Australia announces new visa measures for students

 
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans said that from January 1, 2010, overseas students who require a new visa to complete their studies at another school or college will be exempt from paying the A$540 (approx. Rs 22,500) student visa application charge. Just this year alone, 12 education providers have closed affecting about 4,700 students. Evans said that although most students will be able to complete their studies on their existing student visa, some may need to enroll in a new course that finishes after their existing student visa expires and will require a new visa. 

Students will be able to apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for a refund of their visa application fee if they have been affected by the closure of an education provider in 2009. The government is also increasing the financial requirements for students to ensure they can meet their living costs while in Australia. From January 1, 2010, prospective overseas students will need to demonstrate that they have access to at least A$18,000 (approx Rs 748,000) a year to fund their living costs in Australia, instead of the current A$12,000 (approx Rs 498,000).


Another Indian student attacked

In yet another attack on Indian students here, a 22-year-old youth was punched on his face by a group of Australians, reports PTI from Melbourne. Sai Ratan Tiwari, who hails from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, was on his way to a temple along with a friend on Sunday when two Australians stopped him.  “I told them I was going home instead of disclosing that I was going to a temple,” said Tiwari, who arrived here a year ago to pursue Bachelor of Information Systems.