From Saturday, Australia will increase English language requirements for student and graduate visas.
The government will have the power to suspend the intake of international students if educational institutions repeatedly break the rules.
"This weekend, we will take steps to reduce immigration levels while delivering on our commitments in the immigration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said in a statement.
"REAL STUDENT TEST"
A new "genuine student test" will be introduced to put more pressure on international students who want to come to the country to work, and will close the door to extending their stay.
In Australia, the covid-19 pandemic led to strict border controls and the exclusion of foreign students and workers for nearly two years.
Annual immigration was then increased in 2022 to help businesses fill staffing gaps. But the sudden influx of foreign workers and students has put further pressure on an already tight rental market.
Australia tightens student visa rules
Immigration levels in Australia have reached a new record according to official data. This week, the country will introduce stricter visa rules for foreign students.
MIGRATION RATE UP 60 PERCENT
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that net migration increased by 60 percent to a record 548,800 in the year to September 30, 2023. This figure was measured at 518,000 people in June 2023. Overall, Australia's population grew by 2.5 percent in the year to last September - the fastest increase on record - to 26.8 million people.
