Oz immigration dept warns students' backlash on new reforms

Updated on: Thursday, January 06, 2011

Australian government is expecting a sharp drop in flow of overseas students, including Indians, into the country following reforms in its migration
rules.
The Department of Immigration's Red Book released yesterday has warned its incoming minister Chris Bowen of a backlash from the international students who have applied for permanent residency.

Majority of the applicants are likely to face rejection despite provisions aimed at helping them through the changes.

There were over 455,000 student visas when the federal government reviewed the points test, tightened the list of occupations in demand and reserved the right to cap visa places for some occupations.

About one-third of the 455,000 would have expected to attain permanent residence, but the reforms would now "render a majority of them ineligible", according to the Australian newspaper.

"Even if their expectations of permanent residence have been unreasonably formed, this group is sizeable, many are aggrieved and they are beginning to mobilise," the Red Book was quoted by the newspaper.

The problem is compounded by the fact there are 106,000 former students already on temporary or bridging visas awaiting a decision on their applications for permanent residency. Many would be left in limbo indefinitely, the department acknowledged.
The department, which faces an Australian National Audit Office probe into its management of student visas this financial year, is so concerned about student discontent it is commissioning research to specifically monitor them, the Red Book revealed.

Oz immigration dept warns students' backlash on new reforms

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