Australia’s Labor government is planning to significantly tighten rules allowing international students to bring family members to the country as part of a broader effort to gain greater control over migration and reduce the number of people entering Australia.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is expected to unveil the government’s migration plan on Thursday. The measures could also include steps to prevent migrants from remaining in Australia after their visas expire and to limit lengthy appeals against visa decisions.
Under the proposed changes, some visa categories would be moved away from a demand-driven system, allowing the government greater control over the number of people entering and leaving the country. The government is also considering legislation to regulate migration numbers.
Australia granted more than 337,000 international student visas last year, while about 45,000 visas were issued to family members of students. If the proposed changes take effect, the majority of international students would have to travel to Australia without their families.
The government is also seeking to maintain its annual permanent migration intake at 185,000 while reducing net overseas migration from about 305,000 to 225,000 over the next two years.
The measures are aimed at reversing a recent trend in which international students and working holidaymakers have contributed to higher-than-expected migration levels.
Burke has said Australia needs to reduce net overseas migration but wants to manage the overall number through targeted measures designed to minimise the impact on the economy.
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