June 28, 2022

Student Visa Delay in Australia: Australia to Speed Track Student Visa Applications

S Sources say that the international education sector in Australia might be hit from recovery owing to the delays in student visa processing. Experts are worried that the delay in visa processing will halt recovery of the educational sector that was already reeling due to the pandemic shut downs.

The International Education Association of Australia took note of the delays to visa. A source from the association said that "This is the most difficult time for Australia's embattled international education sector, and the delays to student visa processing times clouds have not come at a worst time. “AFR says that there could be a backlog in visa processing that extends to regional skilled worker visas, topping 16,400 applicants. Just when we thought we had turned the corner from the previous ‘Fortress Australia’ syndrome, we have been told by our Home Affairs department that a host of problems have now beset our nation’s ability to turn around visas in a timely manner,” Phil Honeywood, CEO of IEAA told a leading online portal.

Media reports claim that budget cuts of around 875 million AUD significantly impacted visa processing timelines. “What these budgetary cuts did is to place an even bigger burden on the hardworking women and men of the department.” exclaimed the immigration minister.

While there is fear amongst stakeholders in Australia’s educational sector, there is hope after the newly formed Australian government vowed to speed up visa application processes.

…we are working our way through the scale of the backlog, as well as looking at resource allocations and policy options needed to get things moving…

Mr. Giles, Australia’s Immigration Minister stated that his goal is on making sure that his government clears visa backlog as quickly and as efficiently as possible, in the national interest. He further added that the goal of his department in the long term was to deliver a visa system that’s fit for purpose. “We are working our way through the scale of the backlog, as well as looking at resource allocations and policy options needed to get things moving. As the prime minister made clear, this has to be an absolute priority for Australia” the minister said.

Speaking to reporters, PM Albaness commented on the backlog of visa applications, he said. “We need to work on clearing the backlog there from people who have visas that have been granted.” He previously said short-term migration will need to be a part of the solution for skill shortages.

While the government plans to speed up the process, The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia has a warning, saying that delays to international student visa processing are currently the single biggest barrier to the recovery of the international education sector and to welcoming students back to Australia.

Posted in News and tagged News, Australia, Student Visa Delay, Student Visa Applications, International Education Association of Australia, Australian Government
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