International Students, ‘Visa Hoppers’ and Backpackers Targeted in Australia Migration Crackdown

International students, so-called “visa hoppers” and backpackers will be targeted under stricter rules announced by Australia on Thursday in a bid to curb immigration.

Foreign students will no longer be able to bring their families with them and those who want to extend their stay must choose a higher qualification.

Rules will also be stricter for working holiday visas – commonly used by backpackers and a crucial labour source for the agricultural sector – with a ballot system although these changes will not affect the UK.

The new rules were revealed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke who said that while immigration was a “strength” of Australia, there needed to be a “high level of control”.

For international student and graduate visas, Burke said: “We will no longer be adding to the stock of students automatically being able to bring family members over.”

There would be exemptions for foreign students already in Australia as well as applicants from the Pacific and South East Asian countries, he said.

PhD students would also be able to bring their families as they were in different life circumstances to undergraduates, Burke said.

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He also announced major changes to working holiday visas for those aged 18 to 30 years old who can work in Australia for 12 months, but can extend for a second and third year.

Currently, these visa holders must work for three months in regional Australia during their first year to qualify for a second year, and then six months to qualify for a third year.

Under the new changes, those who qualify for a second year will have to go into a ballot with a cap of 45,000, down from the 57,000 who qualified last year.

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