Several universities in Australia have implemented immediate bans on admitting students from five Indian states, including the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in a move that will impact the aspirations of many Indian students wishing to study and work in Australia.
Two prominent Australian institutions, Federation University in Victoria and Western Sydney University in New South Wales, have recently announced their decision to suspend the acceptance of students from these Indian states.
The decision comes in response to a surge in fraudulent visa applications and concerns over students misusing their student visas for employment purposes.
Close Monitoring by Australia’s Home Department
According to reports from the Sydney Morning Herald, both universities have instructed their education agents to refrain from admitting students from Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory).
The Australian Department of Home Affairs, in a letter to Federation University’s education agents, expressed concerns over the significant increase in student visa applications from these regions, resulting in high rejection rates.
Previous Bans Implemented by Australian Universities
Earlier last month, several other Australian universities, including Victoria University, Edith Cowan University, Torrance University, and Southern Cross University, also declined admissions to applicants from specific Indian states.
The decisions were prompted by similar allegations of individuals exploiting student visas for employment purposes.
The recent bans imposed by Australian universities highlight the growing concerns regarding visa misuse and reinforce the need for stringent monitoring and verification processes.
These measures aim to maintain the integrity of the Australian education system and ensure that student visas are utilized for their intended purpose of pursuing academic studies rather than circumventing immigration regulations for employment opportunities.
