Experts advise students and institutions to prepare more carefully, ensuring all documents meet the new, stricter standards
Australia has deported at least 15 people of Indian origin, including 11 from Punjab, as part of what officials describe as planned charter removals. According to Department of Home Affairs, these actions are aimed at removing individuals who are in the country without legal status. The Indian government has confirmed that it has accepted their return. Reports by SBS Punjabi highlight that deportation laws can apply to any non-citizen, including some permanent residents under certain conditions.
At the same time, Australia has significantly tightened its student visa policies, especially for applicants from India.
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Approval rates for Indian higher education applicants dropped to 49 per cent in March 2026, down sharply from 80 per cent a year earlier
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This follows a policy shift by the Albanese government, which has placed India in a higher-risk category under its visa framework
Officials say the changes are partly due to concerns over fraudulent financial documents and unverifiable academic records. However, some observers believe the move is also linked to political pressure to reduce overall migration ahead of the federal budget.
The stricter rules are already affecting universities, many of which depend heavily on Indian students for revenue. Employers are also concerned about a potential drop in graduates in science and technology fields. In addition, the fee for the Temporary Graduate visa has doubled, making it harder for students to stay and work after their studies.
