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How strict have Australian student visa conditions become?

SBS – Tue, 24 Oct 2023 00:30:00 GMT – 0 comments

As part of the Australian government's reforms to improve the integrity of international education, international students have already encountered restricted work hours. Now they will be further restricted from enrolling in two courses simultaneously during the initial six months of their stay and face increased attendance monitoring.

Why are university degrees in Australia getting more expensive, and how much will they cost?

The Guardian – Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:30:00 GMT – 0 comments

The consequences of the Coalition’s job ready graduate scheme mean the costs of some courses have ballooned up to 140% over the last five years

Pressure is mounting on the federal government to prevent ballooning course costs as figures reveal some humanities courses have become more than 140% more expensive in the past five years.

The costs are a hangover from the previous federal government’s controversial job ready graduates (JRG) scheme, which brought wide condemnation from the sector.

The University of NSW is among a number of universities that have dropped minimum Atar requirements for arts degrees as a direct result of the Coalition’s job ready graduate program. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

Federal government announces the closure of pandemic visa for international students

ABC News – Tue, 26 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT – 0 comments

A COVID-era visa that allowed more than 20,000 international students to work an unlimited amount of hours is being phased out, the federal government has said.

Existing visa holders will remain lawful until their current visa expires, with the ability to extend it for another six months at a cost of $405.

But from February 2024, the visa will be closed to all applicants as it will be completely scrapped.

The program was established in 2020 to support international students who were trapped in Australia during the pandemic, and to fill labour shortages due to international border closures.

According to the latest figures from Home Affairs, more than 17,000 students were granted a 408 visa in 2022, compared to around 3,000 students in 2021.

Australia Tightens Visa Requirements for International Students

Travelobiz.com – Tue, 29 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT – 0 comments

In response to a surge in misuse, the Australian government has acted promptly to close the "concurrent study" visa loophole for international students. The provision had allowed students to enroll in more affordable vocational courses alongside their primary studies, often leading to a diversion from their intended educational paths.

In a move aimed at maintaining the integrity of its international education sector, the Australian government has acted swiftly to close a visa loophole that allowed international students to exploit more affordable vocational courses upon their arrival in the country.

The loophole, known as the “concurrent study” rule, has been a topic of concern due to misuse by some students, prompting the government to take immediate action to address the issue.

Distinctions with a difference: Top grades double for students at state’s biggest unis

Sydney Morning Herald – Mon, 31 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT – 0 comments

Students at the state’s top universities are being awarded the highest grades at double the rate they were a decade ago, while distinction marks have surged by at least 50 per cent in the same period.

Higher education experts say the reasons behind the rise varied, but are partly a result of marking system changes, the switch to remote learning and increasing competition as elite institutions vie for enrolments.

The proportion of students being awarded high distinctions and distinctions was higher in 2021 compared with 2011 at Sydney University, UNSW and the University of Wollongong. CREDIT:LOUISE KENNERLEY

The university degrees that earn the biggest pay rises

Sydney Morning Herald – Thu, 22 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT – 0 comments

University graduate pay rises over the first three years of working can vary by up to $30,000 depending on their choice of career, leading to warnings for high school-leavers to be realistic about their prospects of being able to afford to live in a major capital city.

Pharmacists have one of the lowest graduate salaries but pocket the biggest pay rise of $37,000 just three years after leaving university.

Doctors, bankers and lawyers get a $25,000 pay rise on average a few years into their chosen careers bringing their pay packets rise to more than $90,000 a year, while teachers receive among the lowest salary increases of anyone with a bachelor’s degree, according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey.

Call to overhaul uni fees and end reliance on overseas students

Sydney Morning Herald – Fri, 14 Apr 2023 01:30:00 GMT – 0 comments

Universities want the Albanese government to scrap fee changes designed to lower student costs for priority degrees and raise them for others, because they have forced them “to do more with less”.

Peak body Universities Australia argues revenue has been cut by an average of 6 per cent for each student place. It is calling on the Commonwealth to fully fund university research, saying the sector’s reliance on fees from international students to cover more than half the cost is unsustainable.

Universities Australia chief Catriona Jackson says the reliance on international student fee revenue to fund nationally important research must end.

Uni graduates’ job prospects up, but course satisfaction slumps

Sydney Morning Herald – Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT – 0 comments

Most university students are finding full-time work within months of graduating, but are increasingly unhappy with their study experience.

The latest data from a major annual survey of graduate outcomes and sentiments reveals a mixed report card for Australian universities.

University graduates are enjoying the healthiest jobs market in several years. Credit:Brook Mitchell

Snap Chinese edict to send students rushing back to Australian campuses

Sydney Morning Herald – Sun, 29 Jan 2023 07:00:00 GMT – 0 comments

Tens of thousands of Chinese students enrolled at Australian universities will need to rush into the country before semester one after the Chinese government announced it would stop honouring qualifications gained through online learning.

The Chinese Ministry for Education has released a “special announcement” confirming it would acknowledge degrees awarded only to students attending in-person classes, reversing rules put in place before China’s dramatic loosening of pandemic restrictions.

My grandparents helped shape Australia. Migration will also be key to our future

Sydney Morning Herald – Thu, 12 Jan 2023 05:30:00 GMT – 0 comments

OPINION

Since the first boatloads of convicts were brought to Australia against their will at the end of the 18th century, we’ve been a country of immigrants.

Into the future, migration will play a decisive role in how our nation continues to grow and age. Without it, we’ll be economically much worse off.

Migration is key to Australia’s future.Credit:Luis Ascui

How strict have Australian student visa conditions become?

Why are university degrees in Australia getting more expensive, and how much will they cost?

Federal government announces the closure of pandemic visa for international students

Australia Tightens Visa Requirements for International Students

Distinctions with a difference: Top grades double for students at state’s biggest unis

The university degrees that earn the biggest pay rises

Call to overhaul uni fees and end reliance on overseas students

Uni graduates’ job prospects up, but course satisfaction slumps

Snap Chinese edict to send students rushing back to Australian campuses

My grandparents helped shape Australia. Migration will also be key to our future

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