Australia Introduces Priority System for Student Visas

Australia's government has introduced Ministerial Direction 111, establishing a 'high priority' and 'standard priority' system to manage international student visa processing and effectively limit student numbers without legislative caps. This policy replaces the previous Direction 107, which favored low-risk universities, and aims to support regional and smaller educational institutions. The new system prioritizes visa processing until universities reach 80% of their allotted student cap, after which processing slows, mimicking a cap. This strategy arises amid broader immigration targets and pressures like housing and cost-of-living crises. Critics argue that frequent policy changes create confusion and make Australia seem unwelcoming to potential students, potentially affecting university budgets. The government, unable to pass legislation through Parliament, considers this a necessary approach to manage incoming student numbers effectively.