Crackdown linked to rising visa fraud and misuse of student pathways, say reports
In a move that’s stirred concern among aspiring Indian students, several Australian universities have reportedly banned applications from students belonging to Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The decision, as per reports, follows a sharp increase in student visa misuse, with applicants allegedly using education as a means to migrate rather than study.
Australian immigration and education authorities have flagged a concerning trend: a growing number of “non-genuine applicants” exploiting student visas as an unofficial migration route. These developments have prompted the Department of Home Affairs to collaborate more closely with universities to tighten the student visa application process.
The reported restrictions come amid heightened scrutiny of international students in multiple countries, including the US, where similar visa crackdowns have been seen in recent years.
Officials fear that unchecked misuse could undermine the integrity of Australia’s international education system, a major revenue source and global soft power tool.
Although no official government-wide ban has been declared, multiple universities have independently imposed stricter admission checks, or outright halted applications from students in these six Indian states — considered high-risk zones for visa fraud.
Australia has long been a preferred destination for Indian students, particularly for courses in business, IT, and healthcare. This latest move may significantly affect student mobility and higher education ambitions for thousands.