Indians may not have much to worry about Australia’s new migration strategy. In a bid to reform its migration system, Australia has introduced a forward-looking strategy with increased scrutiny of applicant backgrounds. Despite the stringent measures, insiders have assured that the changes will not impede the influx of Indian students and professionals into the country.
The Australian government’s new migration strategy, revealed on Monday, outlines a comprehensive vision and policy roadmap. It encompasses over 25 new policy commitments and areas earmarked for future reform, with a primary focus on reviewing English language proficiency.
This strategy, developed after extensive consultations with key stakeholders, aims to rectify the shortcomings of the existing immigration system. The overarching goal is to reduce the annual immigration intake to approximately 250,000, aligning with pre-Covid figures, as opposed to the reported 500,000 arrivals this year.
Insiders emphasize that the new measures will not adversely affect Indian students’ opportunities. Under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), Indian graduates will still have the option to work in Australia temporarily after completing their studies.
Australian High Commissioner Philip Green emphasized, “Commitments agreed between India and Australia under the AI-ECTA will be upheld under the new Migration Strategy.” He affirmed that Indian graduates remain eligible for Temporary Graduate Visas based on their educational achievements.
According to Green, “Indian students will continue to be eligible to stay on a Temporary Graduate Visa for two years for a bachelor’s degree, three years for the completion of a master’s degree, and four years for the completion of a Ph.D.”
Addressing concerns, Green stated, “The government will continue to welcome high-quality students seeking educational opportunities in Australia. I see no reason why Indian student numbers shouldn’t continue to grow.”
Insiders suggest that the heightened scrutiny of English language proficiency is unlikely to impact Indian students significantly, given their strong performance in this aspect. As of August 2023, around 120,000 Indian students were enrolled in Australia, making them the second-largest group of foreign students in the country.