Hanson, leader of Australia’s right-wing populist One Nation party, has called for international students to leave Australia before applying for further study visas, arguing the change would prevent abuse of the country’s migration system.
In a media release published on June 12, Hanson claimed some international students were exploiting visa, appeals and asylum processes to prolong their stay in Australia.
“There’s been an explosion of foreign students abusing the system with ‘course-hopping,’” said Hanson, referring to students who switch providers or courses while remaining in Australia on bridging visas.
She also argued that “universities addicted to foreign student money are part of the problem”.
Under One Nation’s proposal, students who discontinue their studies would be required to leave Australia before applying for another student visa, with access to bridging visas also restricted for those seeking to remain onshore while reapplying.
Speaking to The PIE News, a representative from the International Students Representative Council of Australia (ISRC) said its view is that the term “visa misuse” needs to be clearly defined.
“Changing courses, or moving from one qualification to another, should not automatically be treated as misuse of a student visa. Many students change courses or continue to further study for legitimate academic, personal or career reasons,” they explained.
“Requiring students to leave Australia before applying for another student visa would create unnecessary cost, disruption and uncertainty. For many students, one reason they stay in Australia is that they can move from one degree to the next without having to pack up their life and move to another country.
“A policy like this would basically tell students: if you want to keep studying, maybe Australia is not the place for you. That would damage confidence in Australia as a fair and reliable study destination.”
As a senator in a minor party outside government, Hanson cannot implement policy but uses media releases to advocate for legislative changes and influence migration debate.
Hanson, who founded One Nation in 1997 and currently serves as a senator for Queensland, has long advocated lower migration levels and tighter border controls.
Her latest intervention comes amid shifting international enrolments and visa integrity measures implemented by the Albanese government.
In recent years, federal government reforms have tightened rules on ‘visa hopping’, limiting some onshore visa switching in an effort to strengthen migration system integrity.
Federal officials, including assistant minister for international education Julian Hill, have emphasised the need to “manage the size and shape of the onshore international student market” as part of efforts to steer the sector towards greater sustainability.
Australia’s international education sector has shown signs of cooling, with data pointing to a decline in international student commencements and particularly sharp falls in enrolments within the ELICOS sector.
