Implementation of the Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program
The international education sector is one of Australia's largest export industries and is important to Australia in supporting bilateral ties with key partner countries, supporting employment in a broad range of occupations throughout the Australian economy, as well as delivering high-value skills to the economy.
In December 2010, the Australian Government appointed the Hon Michael Knight AO to conduct the first strategic review of the student visa program to help enhance the quality, integrity and competitiveness of the student visa program.
Mr Knight reported to the government on 30 June 2011 with 41 recommendations. On 22 September 2011, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, and Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans, released Mr Knight's report, Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011.
The government supports in principle all of Mr Knight's recommendations, however some recommendations will be modified in places to enhance the performance of the Australian education sector and to better safeguard the integrity of the visa system.
Fact sheets
The fact sheet on the Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program is available on the department’s website
See: Fact Sheet - Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program
Further FAQ's can be found at the following links;
*The University Sector – Streamlined Processing
*Genuine Temporary Entrant Requirement
*Vocational Education and Training (VET), Schools and Non-Award Sectors
*More Flexible Work Conditions
Further details in relation to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program can be found on the department's website.