Australia to Crack Down on Student Visas to Fix ‘Broken’ Migration System

The government want to reduce the number of temporary visa holders prolonging their stay in the country without a clear pathway to permanent residence.

A new Australian citizen holds his certificate after a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 26, 2006. Ian Waldie/Getty Images

The Australian government will target student visa holders who prolong their stay in Australia without a clear pathway to permanent residency amid a migration shake-up.

This will spell the end of settings that drive long-term temporary stays, also known as permanent temporariness, which is one of the main problems with the Australian migration system, according to Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil.