The Rudd Government has no intention of putting a limit on the number of international student visas issued each year, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said today.
Senator Evans said there was no basis for the concerns being expressed by education providers about the possible impact of proposed legislation which would allow the Government to cap and cease certain visa sub classes.
“I want to assure the university sector and all providers of quality education that Australia will continue to welcome students from across the globe to study in our country,” he said.
“The proposed legislation is designed to provide flexibility in the management of the general skilled migration program and to ensure we are able to get the balance right when it comes to targeting the skilled workers we need.
“The legislation, which was introduced into Parliament last month, will allow the Government to control the numbers of visas issued in certain occupations if necessary but will not have any impact on students wishing to come to Australia to study.”
Senator Evans said since February the Government had introduced a number of changes, including launching a new Skilled Occupations List (SOL), designed to ensure the skilled migration program targeted the occupations the Australian economy needs.
As a result of these changes, the Government has put in place generous transitional arrangements to assist international students adjust to changes to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.
“International students who were in Australia prior to February 8, 2010 and hold a vocational, higher education or postgraduate student visa are able to apply either for permanent residence if their occupation is on the new SOL, or a temporary skilled graduate visa on completion of their studies,” Senator Evans said.
A skilled graduate visa allows former students to spend 18 months in Australia to acquire work experience and seek sponsorship from an employer willing to sponsor them into a job using those skills. This transitional arrangement will run through to the end of 2012.
“We want to attract skilled migrants of the highest calibre but the changes we have announced in no way affect international students coming to Australia to study and then return home,” he said.
“The Rudd Government values the contribution made by the international education sector and welcomes its feedback on the proposed legislation.”
