DIAC Stands Firm On Student Migration Changes

One of the biggest things that shook the student migration scene last year was the large scale changes made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to the general skilled migration program. Many were surprised by the changes and found themselves scrambling to cope up with these. Others, on the other hand, tried to assert that these new changes will only prove detrimental to student immigrants.

However, it seems that these actions are going to be of no avail. The DIAC said that it will stand firm on its decision. It also said that these changes are very necessary in order to ensure the quality of not only the general skilled migration program, but also of the student migration program. Thus, it seems that foreign students indeed have nothing more to do about this one.

To better understand the whole matter, it would be a good idea to track back to where everything started. In early 2009 , the department announced that it would be making changes to the skilled migration program in order to align with the Rudd government's new thrust in getting more highly skilled professionals into the country. These changes resulted in the removal of a hundred or so positions that were deemed by the department to be low level or of low demand.

Though the changes initially affected those who are getting working visas, it soon became apparent that the foreign student migration will also be greatly affected by these. Since a large number of foreign students were taking vocational courses, they suddenly found themselves in a big problem when the department deemed these low level and removed them from the priority list. It should be noted that the main reason why many of these students to take up vocational courses is because, under the old system, it is the easiest way to get permanent residency.

And it seemed that everything is not over yet for foreign students, as the student immigration program itself received major changes. One of the biggest of these changes was the increase of the basic living cost for students to around $18,000 from just under $15,000 previously aside from this, the application process for the program has now become even tighter.

Naturally, foreign students vehemently showed their opposition for these host of changes. However, the department said that it will remain firm about these changes. They also added that these will also benefit foreign students in the long run. They also assured these students that they will do everything to ensure that the new rules will have as minimal an impact to them as possible.