Australian PR slipping away from international students

During a recent visit to India, Australian Minister of Immigration & Citizenship, Chris Evans told press that Australian Immigration law is changing with a stronger focus on skilled workers.

Evans said in New Delhi, “We are reviewing the policy on migrants. Our government will adjust the policy based on the needs of the country and not be driven by the education choices of overseas students”.

Senator Evans is in New Delhi to advise the Indian government on steps that Australia is taking to ensure the safety of Indian students who choose to study in Australia.

Thousands of Indian students move to Australia each year, taking admission in vocational courses like cookery and hairdressing in Australian institutions to get permanent residency.

While Senator Evans has not discounted the possibility of gaining permanent residency through study, he did say “The priorities for migration must be the needs of the Australian economy. Therefore, the skills and the qualifications we seek in migrants will vary over time”.

“We are looking for more Indian migrants in coming years to contribute to Australian society. We are looking for Indian doctors, engineers, IT professionals and others, to help grow the Australian economy. My visit is partly to try and encourage migration to Australia,” he added.

This is interesting news and if you felt inclined to read into these comments it may not be good news for International students.

Yesterday we reported that a recent change in immigration policy means that international students now need to have a more competent level of English before their General Skilled Migration (GSM) application will be considered. Chris Evans recent comments and these subsequent changes represent a raising of the bar for students hoping to gain permanent Australian residency through study with the focus turning to migrants with more traditional professional skill sets.

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