Regulations shatter dreams

Melbourne: There is always a certain irony to be found in politics as well as policy-making. So when Australia (and indeed the world) found out that Pauline Hanson intends to move to Britain, the reaction was intriguing.

Hanson is the controversial Queensland politician who founded the One Nation party, espoused radical views, told a TV interviewer to "please explain" the meaning of the word xenophobic, and was famous for her strident anti-immigration stance.

And now the wheel has come full circle. A popular magazine broke the news that Hanson, of all people, is migrating.

Other wheels are turning too, on the subject of student numbers and migration. While most tertiary students are currently on their prolonged summer break, I sought the opinion of Sanchit Agarwal, a 21-year-old from New Delhi who is studying mechanical engineering at Melbourne University.

"I know students who have been severely affected by the sudden change," says Agarwal. "There are some Indian students doing hospitality courses who were absolutely crushed when they found out about the new policy. They now face the decision of whether to finish their courses, or whether their best option is simply to return to India."

The recent changes will not shut the door on all foreign students, but the new policy is a clear reflection that the emphasis is on skilled migration. According to recent Government figures, the number of visas granted to doctors more than doubled in 2009, while there was also a rise in the number of visas for nurses, engineers, welders and high school teachers.

On the other hand, the applications from hairdressers and cooks, as well as electricians and fitters, have shown a decline.

Of the 120 points required of skilled migrants, 115 were awarded on the basis of occupation, age and proficiency in English. The other five points could be granted on the basis of work experience or certification from an Australian university. But the change of direction now means the Government must design a new points-based assessment test.

The new policy will not have a direct effect on Agarwal's long-term plans, but he says the fallout is not just limited to Indian students. "There are other nationalities that have been hit hard as well, including Asians and Europeans," he says.

"I have an Italian friend who is doing a hairdressing course and now there are major questions about his future in this country. Similarly, Indian hospitality students who earlier thought they were assured of a place in the Australian workforce now face the hardest decision of all."

"The changes are drastic and it seems to many of us that they were very sudden. There should have been some warning. Maybe it would have been better to tell students and the wider community that the new policy would affect many people who come here to study."

Glenn Withers, CEO of Universities Australia, pointed out that the number of visa applications has already dropped dramatically. "Applications from every other country are up by several thousand, whereas Indian applications were down by 9000."

David McMahon is a Melbourne journalist and novelist.