Australian Immigration News 31st of August. New Skills In Demand Visa Update + Student Cap Uproar

Summary

In this episode, host KL Conrad discusses the Australian government's decision to cap international student enrollments at 270,000, despite the closure of over 150 'ghost colleges.' Critics argue that international students are being unfairly scapegoated for issues like housing shortages. The episode also covers new 'Skills in Demand' visa legislation, detailing three streams for highly skilled workers, those in occupations with shortages, and lower-paid essential workers. The bill aims to enhance transparency and oversight of sponsor programs.

Takeaways

• 📢 The Australian government is considering a cap on international student numbers at 270,000 for the next year.
• 🏫 The cap is being sold as a measure to tackle exploitation in the education industry, but critics argue that the issue is already being addressed through other reforms.
• 🔍 Over 150 'dormant' or 'ghost' colleges have been shut down, which were not providing education but were used as a backdoor for work opportunities.
• 🤔 The public is skeptical about the need for a cap, as there is little evidence linking international students to issues like the housing crisis.
• 🌳 The Greens leader, Alan Brand, accused the government of using international students as scapegoats for larger economic issues.
• 📉 The National Union of Students president expressed concerns that the cap makes foreign students feel less welcome in Australia.
• 📈 There has been a 160% increase in Indian students coming to Australia, which the government is now trying to manage.
• 📉 The government has been criticized for not honoring promises made to students regarding extended visas after they have paid for their courses.
• 📉 The new 'Skills in Demand' legislation is being discussed in Parliament, which includes new visa streams for highly skilled workers and those in occupations with shortages.
• 🏢 The Specialist stream of the new visa program excludes trade workers, machinery operators, and laborers, focusing instead on high-income earners and specialist knowledge.
• 📋 The new legislation also proposes a public register of approved sponsors to increase transparency and help temporary skilled migrant workers find legitimate employment.

Q & A

What is the proposed cap on the number of international students starting courses in Australia next year?

The proposed cap is set at 270,000 international students starting courses in Australia next year.

Why does the education minister argue for the need for a cap on international students?

The education minister argues that the cap is necessary to weed out 'shunks' or those exploiting the industry to make a quick profit.

What is the government's response to the exploitation of the international student industry?

The government has responded by shutting down over 150 dormant or ghost colleges that were not providing education but were used as a backdoor for people to work in Australia.

How does the public perceive the government's decision to set an international student cap?

The public may not fully understand the reasoning behind the cap and may remember only the headlines suggesting the need to control the number of international students.

What does the Greens leader, Alan Brand, think about the use of international students as scapegoats?

Alan Brand believes that international students are being used as scapegoats when the political establishment avoids confronting big corporations.

What is the National Union of Students' president's opinion on the government's plan to cap overseas University enrollments?

The president struggles to believe that the cap is driven by concerns over migration or the housing crisis, as there is little evidence to support these claims.

What was the increase in the number of students coming to Australia from India in the last year?

There was a 160% jump in the number of students coming to Australia from India in the last year.

What is the new skills in demand Visa legislation that is before the Parliament?

The new skills in demand Visa legislation outlines new Visa streams such as the Specialist stream, the Core Skills stream, and the Essential Workers stream.

What is the Specialist stream in the new skills in demand Visa legislation?

The Specialist stream is for highly skilled workers earning over $135,000 and is intended to attract migrants who bring significant economic benefits to Australia.

How does the Core Skills stream differ from the Specialist stream in the new legislation?

The Core Skills stream is for workers in an occupation shortage earning over $73,500, and it is designed to attract skilled migrants to work in occupations identified as being in national shortage.

What is the purpose of the public register of approved sponsors mentioned in the bill?

The public register of approved sponsors is intended to encourage transparency, monitoring, and oversight, and to help temporary skilled migrant workers find a new sponsor and verify the legitimacy of a sponsoring employer.