At least five Australian universities are implementing stricter measures to verify the authenticity of visa applications, following an influx of fraudulent submissions from certain Indian states. This is aimed at ensuring that only genuine students are granted visas to study in Australia.
According to media reports, the bans or restrictions come following a spike in applications from South Asia and “an accompanying rise in what the Home Affairs Department described as fraudulent applications”.
The Age has obtained emails from Victoria University, Edith Cowan University, University of Wollongong, Torrens University, and agents working for Southern Cross University, which indicate the tightening of restrictions on applications from Indian students.
“Australia is on track for its biggest annual intake of Indian students, topping 2019’s high of 75,000. But the surge has prompted concern from MPs and the education sector about the integrity of the immigration system and the longterm impact on the lucrative international education market,” The Age report said.
“The universities that have restricted access from some Indian states are concerned Home Affairs will reduce their ability to fast-track student visas because of the number of applicants who are actually seeking to work – not study – here.”
The Age report further said, “Perth’s Edith Cowan University in February placed an outright ban on applicants from the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. In March, Victoria University increased restrictions on student applications from eight Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh (population 200 million), Rajasthan (67 million) and Gujarat (60 million).”
It is believed that following the Morrison government’s decision in January 2022 to remove the 20-hour-a-week work limit for students, there was a surge in applications from South Asia as individuals sought low-skill Australian work visas by enrolling in more affordable educational institutions.
The Department of Home Affairs, which manages the student visa system, states on its website that “until 30 June 2023, all ongoing students as well as new student arrivals and secondary applicants are able to work more than 40 hours a fortnight in any sector of the economy. They can also work before their course of study commences.
“After 30 June 2023, the number of hours a Student visa holder will be allowed to work will again be capped, but at an increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight. This ensures that Students focus on obtaining a quality Australian education and qualification.”
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