Australia toughens laws for students
In December, the Australian government tightened legislation regulating the rights of international students in the country. Previously, a person enrolled in an Australian educational institution received a student visa, which allowed him to get a job immediately upon arrival (students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school hours and full-time during the holidays). From now on, a student visa does not mean an automatic right to work. The student must first establish himself well at the place of study and residence – and only then submit an application for work permit to the appropriate authorities.
As explained to “i” by the Moscow representative office of the Australian educational center Students International World Wide, the government’s decision does not mean at all that Australia decided to restrict the entry of foreign, in particular Russian, students into the country. Quite the opposite: Australian universities are generally satisfied with students from Russia and would like to see more. Moreover, representatives of several Australian universities even intend to undertake a voyage to Russian universities in March in order to attract Russian young people.
With approval in Australian universities, they also include the fact that students combine work with study: a person does not just study, say, economics or business, but also comprehends the same economy from the inside, working in a company, officially receiving salaries and paying taxes to the state. But if you came to study, then study. And don’t get too carried away making money. By the way, the work of foreign students is monitored, and if the state inspector finds that you work more than the allowed 20 hours a week, and besides, you miss classes, you will be deported, and your employer will be fined heavily.
Students International World Wide Center (S.I.W.W.) selects future students for a place in an Australian private school, professional college or university (about 40 educational institutions of the country are partners of the center); oversees studies and organizes the guardianship of young students; selects housing for students and employs them.
Now the company’s employees have increased their work: obtaining student work permits is troublesome. But the real one. In any case, all Russian students who went to Australia through Students International World Wide after the introduction of the new law received a work permit. And jobs too.
