This week, Australia will start implementing stricter visa regulations for international students after government data revealed that migration reached a new high. This will probably make an already tight rental market even more difficult.

Starting on Saturday, there will be more stringent English language standards for graduate and student visas. Additionally, the government will have the authority to stop foreign education providers from accepting new students if they consistently violate regulations.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil stated in a statement, "The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the migration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited."

We will implement a new "genuine student test" and subject more visitor visas to "no further stay" restrictions in an effort to target foreign students who want to come to Australia primarily for employment.

The actions come after a series of measures taken by the previous government last year to end COVID-era benefits, such as unlimited working hours for overseas students. At the time, the administration promised to tighten regulations for students, which might result in a two-year drop in the number of immigrants admitted.

Australia increased its yearly migration figures in 2022 to assist companies in hiring workers to cover staffing gaps following the COVID-19 epidemic, which imposed stringent border controls and prevented foreign workers and students from entering the country for almost two years.

However, the strain on an already tight rental market has increased due to the unexpected influx of foreign workers and students.

Net immigration increased by 60% to a record 548,800 in the year ending September 30, 2023, according to data issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday. This figure was higher than the 518,000 individuals in the year ending June 2023.In all, Australia's population increased to 26.8 million in September of last year at the quickest rate ever recorded—a 2.5% increase.The unprecedented migration, which was primarily caused by students from the Philippines, China, and India, has increased the labour pool and reduced wage pressures, but it has also made the already tight housing market worse, with rental vacancies being at record low levels and new supply being constrained by higher building costs.

According to O'Neil, since September, the government's initiatives have resulted in a decrease in migration levels; the recent granting of international student visas has decreased by 35% compared to the previous year.