University sector expects Ministerial Direction 107 to be replaced with 'fairer' approach to student visas
ABCThe university sector expects a controversial visa processing direction to be replaced before the end of the year, despite the education minister previously vowing it will remain until international student caps can be enforced. Education Minister Jason Clare has repeatedly described Ministerial Direction 107 as a "de facto" cap on international students, with about 60,000 fewer higher education visas granted in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. Mr Clare insisted Ministerial Direction 107 would remain in place until caps were imposed, despite acknowledging it was a "blunt instrument" that had a disproportionate impact on smaller, regional universities. Ministerial Direction 107 widely criticised as unfair The shift comes after some regional universities warned that continuing with the same visa processing system would be "disastrous" for their futures. "Ministerial Direction 107 represents a significant policy failure and should not be in place a day longer," Charles Sturt University vice-chancellor Renee Leon said last month.
History of this topic
Discover Related