The Australian Government’s Migration Strategy was released on 11 December 2023.
 

The Strategy is designed to further strengthen the integrity and quality of Australia’s international education programs, better protect international students and support graduates to achieve their career goals.
International students are welcomed and valued in Australia. We want to make sure you have the best possible experience here, and to support you to use your Australian qualification for career success. 
Genuine international students can feel welcome, safe and supported to access a high-quality Australian education.

Key Features:
 

Clear post-study pathways

The Strategy provides clear post-study pathways. These include opportunities to stay and work in Australia for a limited time and, for some graduates, pathways to permanent residency - if your skills and qualifications are needed. This will enable you to better plan for your future, in Australia or elsewhere. 

To make things fairer, the Strategy will limit ‘visa hopping’ between different temporary visas that do not offer a pathway to permanent residency.

Genuine student requirement

For student visa applications, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement will be replaced with a new Genuine Student (GS) requirement. It will require evidence to help the Department of Home Affairs ensure that applications are received from genuine students.

This will improve the application process and ensure that genuine international students continue to have access to Australia’s education system.

Higher English language requirements

In early 2024, the Australian Government will increase the English language requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visas. The new English language requirements will better support learning and employment outcomes for you.

• The test score required for a Temporary Graduate visa will increase from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score (or equivalent) of 6.0 to 6.5.
• The test score required for a Student visa will increase from IELTS (or equivalent) 5.5 to 6.0. 
  • The test score required for students undertaking an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before their main course of study will increase from IELTS (or equivalent) 4.5 to 5.0.
• The test score required for students undertaking university foundation or pathway programs that deliver reputable English language training will be IELTS (or equivalent) 5.5.

Stricter requirements for education providers

The Australian Government is introducing new measures to strengthen the integrity and quality of Australia's education programs for international students.

• A new VET Integrity Unit will be run by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to ensure you receive the highest quality education and training.
• Education providers will be given more access to education agent data to help providers work with high quality education agents. 
• The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) will be changed to strengthen the existing ‘fit and proper’ provider test for education providers registered to deliver programs to international students.

Simplified Temporary Graduate visas

The length of post-study work visas will change. However, Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa will still give you time to gain valuable work experience and demonstrate your skills to Australian employers.

If you gain work in a skilled job during your post-study work period, you may be eligible to apply for the new 4-year Skills in Demand visa. This visa provides a clearer pathway to permanent residency.

Initial stay periods for Indian nationals will not change, as agreed in the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. See the Migration Strategy for further details.

References:
https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/australias-new-migration-strategy-what-it-means-for-you
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/programs-subsite/migration-strategy/Documents/migration-strategy.pdf