Australia is planning to welcome back its international students now that it has reopened its borders after two years. To that end, the Government of Australia is offering various initiatives to encourage foreign students to return.
Read: India and Australia Join Hands to Establish Qualification Recognition
Australia Trade and Investment Commission introduced Study Australia Industry Immersion Program for Indian students currently enrolled in Australian Universities. This program will help in enhancing their employability skills.
Visa Support Initiatives by the Australian Government
The Government is introducing a range of Visa support initiatives for international students planning to pursue higher studies in Australia. These include an international Visa fee refund, additional time for English language tests, health check, Covid-19 Visa Fee Waiver, extended ‘Stay and Work’ periods, and replacement temporary Graduate Visas.
Students already residing in Australia with a Student Visa on or after February 1, 2020, and who were unable to complete their course within the original Visa time period, can apply again.
Check: Australia Student Visa
They will be eligible for a Visa application fee waiver. They can make a claim any time before December 31, 2022. There will also be no restrictions regarding the number of hours that a pupil can work while studying in Australia. However, this is only a temporary relaxation.
It should be noted that most of these changes will be reviewed in April 2022. In order to avail of these benefits, students must meet attendance requirements, progress requirements, and course enrolment.
Individuals with a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) living outside Australia between February 1, 2020, and December 14, 2021, and lost study time owing to international Covid-19 restrictions can apply to have their Visa extended till September 30, 2022. Graduates will be able to use this extended time period to apply for a replacement Visa.
Read: Australia Offers Visa Fees Rebate for International Students
Monica Kennedy, a senior member of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Australian Government, commented, ‘The length of stay for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) holders has been extended from two to three years for Masters by Coursework graduates, matching the existing provisions for Masters by Research graduates. Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector graduates will also receive a two-year Temporary Graduate visa’.
Read More: International Students Allowed to Work Extra Hours in Australia
According to Ms Kennedy, the Australian Government has processed student visas to ensure Indian Students are able to return to Australia to commence their studies for semester 1 2022. Moreover, 15,310 visas have been granted from November 22, 2021, to March 18, 2022, and over 25,000 students arriving in Australia to begin or resume study at Australia's quality education institutions.
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