Australia tightens student visa rules as migration hits record high

Australia will begin enforcing tougher visa rules for foreign students this week as official data showed migration hit another record high, which is likely to further exacerbate an already tight rental market. From Saturday, English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increased, while the government will get the power to suspend education providers from recruiting international students if they repeatedly break rules. The moves follow a raft of actions last year to close off COVID-era concessions introduced by the former government, including unrestricted working hours for international students. But the sudden influx of foreign workers and students has exacerbated pressure on an already tight rental market. O'Neil said the government's actions since September have led to a decline in migration levels, with recent international student visa grants down by 35% on the previous year.