Labor targets ‘visa hopping’ international students in crackdown on ‘permanently temporary’ migration

Migration agents and lawyers ‘selling false hope’ to people seeking to stay in Australia also in government’s sights as it seeks to reduce overseas arrivals

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“Visa hopping” international students, migration agents and lawyers trying to “game” the migration system will be targeted by the federal government, as Labor unveils a further crackdown.

The changes announced on Friday mean international students will soon need to apply for a separate visa to transfer courses, on top of previously announced rules that prevent transferring to a lower grade course, such as switching from a bachelor’s or masters’ degree to a vocational program.