Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill has responded to claims by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson regarding foreign student numbers and alleged abuse of the migration system.
“There’s been an explosion of foreign students abusing the system with ‘course-hopping',” she said.
“They get a student visa, drop out soon after and apply to a bunch of bogus schools or courses while remaining on a bridging visa which allows them to work and access housing and services in Australia.”
In response provided to The Epoch Times, Hill criticised the former Coalition government, describing the system it left behind as a “hot mess,“ while also labelling One Nation a party of ”grievance, division and chaos.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Morrison government removed the 40-hour-per-fortnight cap on student visa work hours in 2022 in response to labour shortages, allowing international students to work unlimited hours.
Opponents argued this increased the risk of student visas being used primarily for work rather than study.
The Labor government later reinstated work limits from July 1, 2023, but with a higher cap of 48 hours per fortnight.
Home Affairs data shows there are just under three million temporary visa holders currently in Australia, up from 1.73 million in 2021.
Hill expressed a sentiment that Hanson’s approach was too extreme and that those abusing the system could be dealt with without a wider crackdown.
“International education is Australia’s fourth biggest export sector, worth more than $50 billion (US$35.3 billion) to the Australian economy and helps build the teaching and research facilities where Australian students learn,” he said.
“The government inherited a hot mess from Scott Morrison, and has already taken tough action to boost integrity and go after the shonks and crooks without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”
Hill criticised One Nation for publishing media statements without including a “single costed policy.”
“They are a party of grievance, division and chaos, and if they wanted to take integrity in the higher education system seriously, they should front up to the parliament and engage meaningfully with the government’s reforms, not make public policy by press release,” he said.
“Student numbers are already moderating and the government makes no apology for tough decisions taken, and will continue to manage the size and shape of the international education sector in Australia’s national interest.”
In a statement provided to The Epoch Times, the Department of Home Affairs said it was focused on maintaining the integrity of the student visa program.
“All non-Australian citizens and permanent residence visa holders applying for a student visa and seeking a visa grant to enter or remain in Australia are assessed on merits of the individual cases and against the legal requirements set out in Australia’s migration legislation,” a spokesperson said.
“The Department can and will refuse student visa applications that are non-genuine and/or contain fraudulent information.
“Similarly, granted visas will be cancelled where the Department becomes aware of non-genuineness and/or fraud.”
The Department also told The Epoch Times the government had allocated $19.8 million in the 2026-27 budget to extend funding of visa application scrutiny.
