▲ Working holiday makers working on an Australian strawberry farm
Australia's Labor government has moved to curb immigration by reducing the issuance of working holiday visas and restricting family dependents for the majority of international students.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced an overhaul of immigration regulations on the 17th local time, targeting a reduction in net overseas migration from approximately 300,000 per year to 225,000 by 2028.
Under the changes, those wishing to extend their basic one-year working holiday visa will have to go through a random ballot, while caps on second- and third-year visas will be reduced from previous levels to 45,000 and 5,000 per year, respectively.
The government also decided to block family members from accompanying most international students, with exceptions for students from Pacific island nations and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, as well as certain doctoral students.
International students will only be permitted to renew their student visas if they are progressing to a higher-level degree program.
The Australian government plans to insert "no further stay" clauses into tourist and other temporary visitor visas to block people from extending their stay by switching visa types.
Foreign nationals whose visas have expired will be given a two-week departure window, beyond which they will face detention and deportation.
Enforcement personnel will be increased by 100, and the capacity of immigrant detention facilities will be expanded by 250 slots.
The Labor government's plan focuses on attracting skilled migration in key sectors.
The National Farmers' Federation issued a statement criticizing the move, saying, "Working holiday participants account for one in seven farm jobs and play a vital role in the production, harvesting, packaging, and supermarket supply of food and fiber crops."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.