Indian students are once again heading to Australia, along with a rise in international students, with the perceived threat of physical violence having receded to a considerable extent.
Violence against Indians in Australia has been a sensitive issue, especially after several racially motivated attacks on international students a few years back had strained relations between the two nations.
Indian students, according to an Australian Immigration Department report, top the list of visas granted in Australia.
Overall, 284,152 international students were granted visas in the first three quarters of the Australian financial year ending March 31, 2012. This figure represents an increase of 4.5% compared with the same period in 2010-2011.
Over 23,000 Indian students were granted visa this year.
The Australian Immigration Department assessment of Indian applications seem to have improved significantly from the same period last year as there has been a whopping 82.8% increase in grant of visas.
While 2319 Indian students were granted visa in India in the three quarters ending March 2011, the number ballooned to 4238 this year.
A massive increase has also been noticed, according to a recent Immigration Department report, in the Indian students making application for Australian student visas.
More than 8000 Indians applied for visa to study in Australia in the nine months to March 31, 2012, representing an increase of about 120% over the previous year.
Monash University migration expert Bob Birrell, known for his hard-line approach, said that ‘Indians have been swooshing around the system, applying for student and tourist visas, family reunion and as temporary skilled migrants.’
“The student system was opened up and now they are seeking whatever means are available to stay on via other visas. The noticeable turnaround in student visa grants is also being attributed to a backlash from the Australian education institutes who had criticised the way Immigration Department was refusing applications from international students,” he told the Herald Sun.
Melbourne-based migration and education consultant Jag Khairra said, “Recent changes in the visa application process have made it easier for Indian students to come down under to study. Australian Government has also worked hard to address fears about attacks on Indian students.
