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.

Outlines

00:00

📚 International Student Cap and Visa Legislation

The video discusses the Australian government's decision to cap the number of international students at 270,000, starting next year. The Education Minister justifies the cap by citing the need to combat 'shunks' or those exploiting the education industry for profit. The video argues that the cap is unnecessary as the government is already addressing the issue by shutting down over 150 'ghost colleges.' It highlights the public's general disinterest in immigration laws and focuses on headlines, which in this case, simplifies the issue to 'weeding out the shunks.' The Greens leader, Alan Brand, and the National Union of Students president express skepticism about the government's motives, suggesting that international students are being scapegoated for issues like housing crises, which they argue are not caused by students but by a lack of housing supply. The video also criticizes the Minister for his previous policies that led to a surge in international students and for the government's broken promises regarding graduate visas.

05:02

🔍 New Skills in Demand Visa Streams

The video outlines the new 'Skills in Demand' visa legislation currently before the Australian Parliament. The legislation introduces three new visa streams: The Specialist stream for highly skilled workers earning over $135,000, excluding trade workers; the Core Skills stream for workers in occupations facing a national shortage and earning over $73,500; and the Essential Workers stream, focusing on lower-paid workers with essential skills in the care and support economy. The Specialist stream aims to attract migrants with significant economic benefits, such as filling specific labor market needs or providing niche technologies. The Core Skills stream is designed to attract skilled migrants to work in occupations identified as being in national shortage. The video also mentions the upcoming changes to labor market testing and the establishment of a public register of approved sponsors to increase transparency and oversight.

10:03

🌐 Updates on Immigration Policies and Visa Processing

The final paragraph covers updates on immigration policies, including changes to the labor market testing required for the Core Skills stream, with the validity period increasing from 4 to 6 months. It discusses transitional arrangements for sponsors with approved nominations or pending applications to ensure they are not disadvantaged by new thresholds. The video also speculates on potential future benefits such as one year of work experience for the 482 Visa instead of the current two, faster processing times, a fairer payment schedule for the Skilling Australia Fund, and the possibility of time spent with any approved sponsor counting towards the 2-year TRT stream requirements. The presenter emphasizes the importance of staying informed and offers assistance for those needing help with the complex immigration processes.

Keywords

💡Student Visa Cap

A 'Student Visa Cap' refers to a limit set by a government on the number of international students allowed to study in the country. In the video, the Australian government is proposing a cap of 270,000 new international students, which is presented as a measure to control the influx of students and manage the housing crisis. The term is central to the video's discussion on immigration policies and their impact on education and the economy.

💡Ghost Colleges

In the context of the video, 'Ghost Colleges' are institutions that are not genuinely providing educational services but are instead being used as a means for individuals to gain access to work in the country. The script mentions that the government is shutting down over 150 such colleges, indicating a crackdown on fraudulent educational practices that exploit the student visa system.

💡Scapegoating

Scapegoating is the act of blaming a group for problems that they are not responsible for. In the video, international students are described as scapegoats, with the implication that they are being unfairly blamed for issues such as housing shortages and economic pressures, rather than addressing the root causes of these problems.

💡Migration

Migration refers to the movement of people from one region or country to another with the intention of settling, working, or studying there. The video discusses how international students are often caught up in broader debates about migration, with policies like the student visa cap being framed as migration control measures.

💡Housing Crisis

A 'Housing Crisis' is a situation where there is a significant shortage of affordable housing, leading to homelessness or unaffordable living conditions for many people. The video suggests that international students are being unfairly blamed for contributing to the housing crisis in Australia, despite the issue being more complex and multifaceted.

💡Skills in Demand

The term 'Skills in Demand' refers to the specific skills or qualifications that are currently in high demand within a labor market. The video discusses new legislation that aims to attract skilled migrants to Australia by identifying and prioritizing these in-demand skills, with the goal of addressing labor shortages and boosting the economy.

💡Essential Workers

In the video, 'Essential Workers' are those who perform jobs that are crucial to the functioning of society, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and public services. The new visa streams discussed in the video aim to attract and support these workers, recognizing their importance to the economy and community.

💡Labor Market Testing

Labor Market Testing (LMT) is a process used by governments to ensure that employers are making a genuine effort to fill job vacancies with local workers before resorting to hiring foreign workers. The video mentions that the validity of LMT is being increased from 4 to 6 months, indicating a more stringent approach to ensuring that local labor is considered first.

💡Public Register of Approved Sponsors

A 'Public Register of Approved Sponsors' is a registry that lists employers who are authorized to sponsor foreign workers. The video explains that such a register is intended to increase transparency and oversight in the sponsorship process, helping to ensure that employers are legitimate and that migrant workers are protected.

💡Core Skills Stream

The 'Core Skills Stream' is a proposed visa category for workers in occupations that are experiencing a national shortage. The video discusses how this stream is designed to attract skilled migrants to work in these紧缺领域, with the income threshold set at a minimum of AUD 73,500, which is expected to rise annually.

💡Specialist Stream

The 'Specialist Stream' is a visa category for highly skilled workers who earn over a certain income threshold, in this case, AUD 135,000. The video explains that this stream is intended for migrants who can bring significant economic benefits to Australia, such as filling specific labor market needs or providing specialist knowledge and expertise.

Highlights

The Australian government is considering a cap on international student visas at 270,000 for the next year.

The cap is justified by the need to control 'shunks' or those exploiting the education industry for profit.

Over 150 'dormant' or 'ghost' colleges have been shut down as part of reforms to tackle exploitation.

Critics argue that the cap is unnecessary as the government is already addressing the issues.

The public often overlooks the details of immigration laws, focusing more on headlines.

International students are being used as scapegoats for larger societal issues.

The Greens leader, Alan Brand, criticizes the government for targeting migrants instead of corporations.

The National Union of Students president questions the rationale behind the student visa cap.

There is skepticism about the government's claim that the cap will address the housing crisis.

The Minister for Education, Jason CLA, is held responsible for the surge in international students.

The government's promise to honor graduate visas for students whose courses were listed has been broken.

The Minister's integrity is questioned regarding the implementation of the student visa cap.

The new 'Skills in Demand' legislation is expected to be passed, outlining new visa streams for workers.

The Specialist stream is for highly skilled workers earning over $135,000, excluding trade workers.

The Core Skills stream is aimed at occupations in national shortage, with an income threshold of at least $73,500.

The Essential Skills pathway focuses on lower-paid workers with essential skills, particularly in care and support.

A public register of approved sponsors is to be established to increase transparency.

Labor market testing validity for the Core Skills stream will increase to 6 months.

Transitional arrangements will be in place for sponsors with approved nominations prior to the bill's commencement.

Future bills are expected to include changes such as reduced work experience requirements and faster processing times.

Transcripts

in tonight's episode we take a look at

the new skills in demand Visa

legislation soon to be passed by the

House of Representatives and the

government has now committed to a

student visa cap amongst a total wave of

complaints I'm KL Conrad and welcome

grab a cppa and sit back and enjoy the

[Music]

show this week the education Minister

came out and announced a cap on the

number of international students

starting courses in Australia Today I

can announce that subject to the bill

passing the overall number of

international students starting a course

next year will be set at 270,000 and to

sell the need for such a cap he began

with the old political magician trick

redirection students are back but so are

the shunks people that are seeking to

exploit this industry to make a quick

buck so do we need a cap to beat the

shun well not really it seems for

they're already on top of the problem

and we're implementing a number of

reforms to tackle that including most

recently the shutting down of more than

150 dormant or ghost colleges places

that aren't really operating to provide

an education for international students

but a really a backdoor just for people

to work here however all the public will

remember is oh we need this cap so we

can weed out the shunks as most of you

know by now the Australian public pays

little attention to immigration laws or

policies they just want the headlines so

what is shutting down dodgy colleges got

to do with setting an international

student cap absolutely nothing how did

we get to this crazy point of talking

about caps and limiting International

students well that's because

International students are the

scapegoats here the greens leader Alan

brand made this quite clear in his

speech to the National Press Club on

Wednesday

every time that people start doing it

tough but the political establishment

doesn't turn around and take on the big

corporations they look for scapegoats

right they look for scapegoats and what

labor and liberal are doing now are

saying we're going to attack migrants

not the big corporations that are price

gouging you we're going to attack

migrants right and like even to the

point where labor is now saying

universities somehow have to get into

the business of housing like linking

migrant and housing and international

students with a housing crisis right

this this is this is um a a race to the

bottom migrant bashing debate that the

greens are not going to participate in

in the lead up to the election of course

we are not the only ones openly

questioning the rationale for setting a

student visa cap this was also voiced by

the national Union of students president

on Wednesday's news breakfast show the

reaction is coming in thick and fast

this morning to the government's plan to

cap overseas University enrollments

foreign students say they now feel less

welcome in the country after education

Minister Jason CLA proposed a limit of

270,000 new overseas enrollments for

next year so it sounds like you don't

really um buy into this argument from

the government that this is a a decision

around sustainability and migration do

do you believe it's driven by something

else yeah I I struggle to believe that

it's driven by you know sort of this

this conversation around migration or

even as were initially saying uh to

reduce the housing crisis the reality is

there is you know little to no evidence

that proves International students are

the cause of the housing crisis it's not

their fault we don't have enough housing

to keep up with you know the amount of

people who live here it's not their

fault uh that rental prices of sword um

so you know it's it's an interesting

Framing and one that I don't quite buy

and don't forget who was responsible for

this unprecedented surge of

international students coming in such an

unusually short period while that lies

directly at Jason cla's feet he's hoping

we will all forget his joint to India to

try and attract more students in the

last year there's been 160% jump in the

number of students coming to Australia

from

India 160% think about that he hopes we

will all forget about the over 3,000

courses listed for the longer 4-year

graduate visas if you come and study

here more importantly he hopes no one

mentions that after students paid big

money to choose one of these listed

courses they were denied the opportunity

to gain those extended visas in July

this year this is despite the government

advertising to prospective students when

this list came out don't worry if your

course comes off the list before you

finish we will honor our promise and you

can still gain the 4-year graduate Visa

you know we got are back whenever you

need us well we all know what a like

that turned out to be when in July this

year just a year after the program began

no one could get those fouryear extended

visas anymore this is the first time we

have witnessed such a lack of Integrity

from a government but Jason CLA still

maintains his position simply amazing

now however he wants your trust that

this department can run the student visa

cap program with integrity and that you

can depend upon what he says come on you

must be joking how far this Minister has

fallen in March last year all the

universities were in love with Jason

Clair to them he was the new Messiah

someone in the government was finally

going to listen to them and design

policies where they could

flourish this is a year for Big Ideas

it's a year for Big

Ideas in education but summer is now

almost over and I want your

ideas this room room is full of smart

and imaginative people but I know you've

got ideas that won't just make your

universities better in this room are the

brains and the ideas that can help us to

reshape and reimagine what our

universities what our higher education

system can be and to set it up for the

next decade and the one after that and

that's what I want from you that's what

I need from you he had them eating out

of his hand little did the UN Unity

leaders who sat around their Gala dining

tables that night realized that all of

their great ideas were going to be

wasted by a government that would just

do as they pleased when it suited them

had they realized what was to come

perhaps the laughter and the Clapping of

the distinguished crowd would have been

replaced by them choking on their

vegetables what's

this I think he's choking oh yeah

he

[Music]

[Music]

air okay folks we have a few specials

tonight the new skills in demand

legislation is before the Parliament and

is expected to be passed soon the

migration Amendment strengthening

sponsorship and nomination processes

Bill 2024 it outlines the new skills in

demand Visa streams The Specialist

stream the core skills stream and the

essential workers stream The Specialist

stream is for highly skilled workers

earning over

$135,000 called The Specialist skills

income threshold the ssit this stream

excludes trade workers Machinery

operators and drivers and laborers and

why is that you say well the explanatory

statement outlines it all this stream

will be available to highly skilled

migrants who bring significant economic

benefits to Australia such as meeting

labor market needs that exist at an

individual firm level and assist

companies in acquiring specialist

knowledge Niche Technologies or research

expertise unavailable in Australia I

guess that's why the tradies have been

excluded much to the Construction

Industries discussed the new core

skilled occupation list will not apply

to this stream the new core skill stream

is for workers in an occupation shortage

earning over

73,5 and of course that figure will go

up every year in the explanatory

statement it reads it is intended that

this streamlined approach to the income

threshold of at least

73,5 will attract skilled migrants to

work in occupations identified by jobs

and skills Australia as being in

National shortage or where Australia has

committed to providing access to the

Australian labor market in relation to

that occupation through international

trade agreements the upcoming core

skills occupation list which we

discussed last week will be the

Benchmark for identifying occupations in

National shortage if you are worried

that your occupation may not be included

on this new list it may be best to Lodge

a new nomination using the current

regulation

any nominations lodged before the new

skills in demand stream start will be

assessed under the old rules and lists

and while speaking of lists it is

important to note that those on the

current short-term occupation list

hoping to Lodge for their 186 permanent

residence visa using the trt stream you

do not need to worry if your occupation

does not make it onto the new list this

is because the trt stream of the 186

Visa does not require the occupation to

be on any list but it does need to be at

least in anco the essential skills

pathway will be for lower paid workers

with essential skills with a focus on

the care and support economy the

government is still working on how all

this will work in practice but we expect

it to be similar to the labor agreement

stream of the current 482 Visa the new

bill also outlines the establishment of

a public register of approved sponsors

in the explanatory statement labeled to

parli it reads by including the name of

the approved sponsor the number of

sponsored workers and their occupations

the register is intended to encourage

transparency monitoring and oversight

the purpose of the public register is to

help temporary skilled migrant workers

find a new sponsor and provide a public

resource so they can check to ensure

that a sponsoring employer is actually

legitimate the bill also outlines the

change to the labor market testing

required for for the core skills stream

the validity of the LMT will increase to

6 months up from the current 4month

requirement the government will put in

place transitional Arrangements which

will apply to sponsors who have an

approved nomination or have applied for

nomination prior to the commencement of

this bill this is to ensure they are not

disadvantaged by the new thresholds the

other expected benefits in future bills

to the parliament but not yet confirmed

but I hope for are the onee of work

experience instead of the current 2

years for the 482 Visa faster processing

times a fairer payment schedule for the

skill Australia fund and time spent with

any approved sponsor to count towards

the 2-year trt stream requirements it's

been another busy week and it takes a

long time to Wade through all the

information out there to try and bring

you the most essential parts and

remember if you need help we are always

here you can book a consultation online

or if you need need one faster just pick

up the phone as always take care out

there and I will see you next time so

bye for now

[Music]