Australia announces $630 visa rebate for foreign students

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the $630 fee for international students would be covered for the next eight weeks from 19th January 2022. 

“There are around 150,000 students who have visas who we are encouraging to come back to be there for the start of their university or college year, and that is a thank you to them for coming back and continuing to choose Australia,” the Australian Prime Minister said.

He added that international students could help fill some of the critical workforce shortages, especially those who are "working and being trained in healthcare, aged care, those types of sectors, that will be incredibly helpful."

“We want you to come to Australia and enjoy a holiday here … [and] move all the way around the country. At the same time, join our workforce and help us in our agricultural sector, in our hospitality sector, and so many of the other parts of the economy that rely on that labour,” Scott said. 

In addition to visa rebates, student visa holders will now be permitted to work more than 20 hours across all sectors of the economy. 

According to Australian Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, the student rebate visa changes, along with similar amendments made for backpackers, is likely to have an expected cost of $55 million. 

The talent crisis is an older problem that is yet to be solved. The numbers from Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that businesses are in seach for talent but are not able to fill job vacancies. Closed borders and the lack of access to foreign talent continues to stress the economy. 

With these new measures the Morrison government, seeks to generate new interest in Australia and receive more visa applications. 

Also Read: It’s time to embrace the skills-based model of talent pipeline: IBM’s Obed Louissaint