The Australian Association of Education Representatives in India (AAERI) has urged the Australian government to reform the student visa system to link visas directly to students’ initial educational institution and course. This reform proposal suggests that any changes to a student’s course or institution should require a new visa application, with existing visas automatically canceled if students switch institutions or courses.
This reform aims to strengthen the integrity of the Australian student visa program, reduce exploitation in the education sector, and ensure that students adhere to genuine student requirements. By tying visas to specific courses and institutions, AAERI believes that it will help prevent students from misusing the system and will improve student retention rates and industry stability.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns over the financial risks faced by international students, particularly those from India, where education loan applications have surged. Many students who change their course or institution may find their original loans invalid, leading to significant financial difficulties. AAERI highlights that this issue is also prevalent among students from Nepal.
The AAERI report references similar systems in New Zealand, the UK, and Canada, where student visas are linked to specific institutions or courses. These models, AAERI argues, could offer useful lessons for Australia as it works to address issues of exploitation and visa abuse in the international education sector.
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