By Ranjita Pillai, Migration Lawyer at Migration Guru
In a bid to address concerns about Australia’s immigration system and put an end to fraudulent practices, the Albanese government is taking decisive action. The recent growth in the rental crisis has amplif
ied worries about public perception of immigration. This week, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neill, Education Minister Jason Clare, Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor, and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles are set to unveil several announcements aimed at curbing abuses and restoring integrity to the immigration process.
Government sources are quick to highlight that issues in the immigration system stem from previous government policies. They point out that in the past financial year, visa refusal rates for international students more than doubled, with 94,000 applicants being denied entry, with roughly half of them from the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. The surge in refusals can be attributed to the increased detection of fraudulent documentation submitted by students attempting to gain entry into Australia for work purposes.
Crackdown on Bogus Colleges
The forthcoming crackdown, set to be announced this week, is expected to target students enrolling in colleges that the government suspects may be operating fraudulently. Since 2017, over half of the growth in international VET student enrolments has occurred in new colleges and those with fewer than 100 students. This has raised concerns about the legitimacy of some educational institutions.
This week will also see the release of a review of the visa system conducted by former Victorian police commissioner Christine Nixon. Leaked copies of the review suggest it has uncovered numerous cases of sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and organized crime activities within the temporary migration system. Nixon has recommended barring temporary migrants from the sex industry and imposing penalties on Australians who employ them in this sector, including disqualification from directing a company and publicizing their names on a register. The review also calls for a crackdown on migration agents, including stricter character tests.
Overhaul of Onshore Protection Visa Applications:
Next week, the government plans to introduce significant changes to the handling of onshore protection visa applications. These changes may involve tightening work rights restrictions for asylum seekers and streamlining the appeals process. The number of people seeking asylum in Australia has been on the rise since the borders reopened post-pandemic, prompting concerns about managing the caseload efficiently.
Addressing Lengthy Processing Times:
The government is increasingly frustrated with the extended processing times for protection visa applications. Currently, it takes an average of 866 days for Home Affairs to process an application, 1330 days for the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to review it, and a staggering 1872 days for the courts to review it. These prolonged timelines are a significant concern.
The Albanese government’s commitment to strengthening Australia’s immigration system and addressing longstanding issues is evident through these upcoming reforms. While these changes aim to tackle fraudulent practices and protect vulnerable migrants, they also seek to streamline processes and reduce lengthy processing times. As migration lawyers at Migration Guru, we will closely monitor these developments to ensure our clients receive accurate and up-to-date information on immigration matters. If you have questions or need guidance on navigating Australia’s immigration system, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Your immigration journey is our priority.
For more information contact Our team via email at info@migrationguru.com.au or by calling 07 3036 3800. Readers are encouraged to follow us on Facebook for all the updates.
