Latest Australian Immigration News

In 2000, the `lucky country’ welcomed over 150,000 international students to its shores. Almost half (47%) of these students were engaged in higher education and when compared to other countries, such as the UK, Canada, New Zealand, the US, Japan and Korea (the Republic of), Australia had the highest proportion of international students relative to all higher education students. There are obvious benefits for both parties. For international students, Australia continues to be a choice destination as it is regarded as safe and friendly with high quality courses. This is a key consideration for students who come from countries where the political and economic climate is less stable. International students wishing to migrate to Australia in the future have the advantage of holding Australian qualifications and are in a more favourable position when applying for a skilled visa and permanent residency grants. If they apply within six months of completing their studies, they are not required to have any skilled work experience as part of their application. In 1999-2000, 14% of permanent residence grants made in Australia were to holders of student visas, and in 2000-01, about 50 per cent of applicants for skilled migration were former international students (Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, 2000). From Australia’s perspective, the benefit is not just an economic one. There are also cultural and political gains made from hosting international students. Australia’s foreign relation policies and relationships with countries such as China, India and Indonesia are influenced by these agreements on educational exchange. And just as importantly, the influx of a variety of social/cultural backgrounds contributes to Australia’s ever growing multi-cultural population especially in cases where students join the skilled labour supply by becoming permanent residents after completion of their studies (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2001). Main Source: Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2002, Australian Social Trends 2002: Education – Participation in Education: Overseas Students. Other Sources: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2001, Annual Report 2000-01. Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA), 2000, Population Flows: Immigration Aspects, DIMA, Canberra; and DIMA 2001, Annual Report, 2000-01, DIMA.