WORLD
Victoria education minister Bronwyn Pike said his state, which has by far the largest concentration of Indians, would try help students find alternatives avenues.
A stricter skilled occupations list (SOL) would affect thousands of overseas students seeking Australian residency, including Indians, Victoria education minister has acknowledged, but assured that the government would offer support and help to those affected by the change.
Bronwyn Pike, who was recently on a week-long trip to India to promote Australia as a safe destination to study, said his state, which has by far the largest concentration of Indians, would try help students find alternatives avenues.
"We are trying to offer support to all those students and to help them find alternative courses, make a smooth transition or help them with their individual circumstances.
"We will also provide welfare support to all those students who need it," Pike told PTI here.
She said the new immigration rules made to the skilled occupational list, like dropping of courses like hairdressers and cookery, came with generous arrangements for onshore pupils who could still apply for residency provided they find a full-time employer or moved to different course which was included in the new list.
The minister said, however, the issue was a big concern for Victoria keeping in view that the state attracted more number of Indians as compared to any other state.
"I think it is a big issue but this is a decision that the commonwealth government has made. We don't have any choice," Pike said, adding that state government had communicated its concern over it to the federal government.
"We have told the federal government so they are very aware that we are very concerned about it," she said.
New figures reveal that enrolments and commencements from Indian students have dropped in the first five months in 2010 by 11% and 37% respectively as compared to the corresponding period last year.
There were 35,757 enrolments from India in Victoria during January-May this year as compared to 40,292 similar period last year whereas commencements dropped from 14,711 to 9,300 during similar period.
Wide media coverage of attacks on Indian students, most of them in Victoria, is believed to be one of the reasons for the drop.
Pike said for some students who will be in transition due to revision in occupations list, Federal government has given time to either look for an full time employer or move to other alternative courses that are included in new list.
She said "some of people who were promised the opportunity of residency here just by doing this course... that would not happen as much as it happened before".
The new list that was reduced to 181 occupations from 400 came into effect July 1 this year after issues like unscrupulous colleges offering substandard courses and dodgy agents emerged.
IND vs BAN, 3rd T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
Sharjah-bound Air India Express flight with 150 onboard safely lands in Trichy after reporting…
IND vs BAN, 3rd T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Bangladesh
Combined wealth of India's 100 richest individuals, for first time in 2024, surpasses Rs...
Ozonetel Acquires CloudConnect Communications
Noida Police announce traffic diversions for Dussehra celebrations: Check key routes to avoid
Ratan Tata's millennial friend Shantanu Naidu and his midnight surprise for the industrialist
Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj takes charge as Telangana DSP
Mukesh Ambani’s Diwali dhamaka offer: Get free AirFiber for one year, unlimited internet; here's how
Oil Ignores War: Why Markets Are Calm Amid Middle East Chaos
Amitabh Bachchan receives birthday wishes from Ajay Devgn, Prabhas, Rajinikanth, Kajol, Navya
PAK vs ENG: Pakistan become 1st team to lose Test match by an innings despite scoring 500 plus runs
Noel Naval Tata: Check educational qualification, family tree of new Chairman of Tata Trusts
Rupee hits all-time low against dollar, know why Indian currency fell, which one's strongest
Here's how Shantanu Naidu's midnight birthday surprise for Ratan Tata left him 'visibly awkward'
Nobel Peace Prize 2024 awarded to Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo for...
An Ila Arun blockbuster launched THIS actress in Bollywood, everybody in her family is a star
Amid divorce rumours, 'Flying Beast' Gaurav Taneja and Ritu Rathee reunited for daughters?
When PM Modi's one-word SMS to Ratan Tata brought Nano to Gujarat
PM Modi holds bilateral talks with his Laos counterpart Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane
Narayana Murthy's next BIG step, Infosys to no longer send job offer letters, the company will...
Meet man, who is behind over 9% surge in Bandhan Bank share price today
Vettaiyan Box Office Day 1: Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan's film earns Rs 30 cr
Vishal Tinani awarded for Legal Excellence by Sachin Pilot
Your FAVOURITE car doesn't have steering wheels or pedals, is priced at Rs...
Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma deletes post on Ratan Tata after backlash, he said…
Ratan Tata became favourite customer of THIS Mumbai newspaper vendor due to...
Late Ratan Tata talks about his romantic relationships, 'Seriously four times'
Harbhajan Singh predicts this star player will attract bidding war in IPL auction, he is...
TCS mourns the death of veteran industrialist Ratan Tata in this post
'You're not a…': Nitish Kumar Reddy reveals what Gautam Gambhir said before 2nd T20I vs BAN
Bigg Boss 18: Pookie Baba Aniruddhacharya apologises for appearing on Salman Khan show
Mukesh Ambani BEATS Gautam Adani to take top spot on THIS list, his net worth jumps to...
Amitabh Bachchan mourns Ratan Tata's death, writes 'an era...'
'Goa', Ratan Tata's pet dog, bids him emotional goodbye
Happy Maha Ashtami 2024: Top 10 best wishes, messages to share with your loved ones on Durgashtmi
At least 22 killed in airstrikes in central Beirut, 117 injured
Manager sues this bank for Rs 416711420 after getting fired due to...
One flight made Amitabh Bachchan 'Sharaabi', changed his life, made him superstar
Centre declares Hizb-Ut-Tahrir as terrorist organisation for involvement in...
Forbes Billionaires list: Mukesh Ambani gets richer by Rs 23088 crore
Meet man who began his career at SBI, now set to lead Rs 30246 crore company as...
Amitabh Bachchan's Bombay To Goa was FIRST offered to Rajiv Gandhi
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope spots Jupiter's great Red Spot shaking like...
'It was my...': Javed Akhtar REVEALS reason behind his failed first marriage with Honey Irani
Dawood Ibrahim is scared of me, says Bigg Boss 18 contestant Gunratan Sadavarte
Who is Zarin Daruwala, Standard Chartered's India CEO set to retire in April 2025?
Madhura Naik recalls family's encounter with Hamas militants, says 'it was...’
Big setback for India as Rohit Sharma may miss first Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia
Vijayta Pandit says Kumar Gaurav's family got him married to Namrata Dutt: 'He loved me immensely'
DSP to IPS officer: Meet woman who cracked UPSC exam in first attempt, her AIR was...
'I would feel like jumping off...': When Mrunal Thakur revealed she had suicidal thoughts due to...
Bigg Boss 18: These five contestants are nominated for eviction in first week of Salman Khan's show
Rohit Sharma meets injured Musheer Khan after accident, pic goes viral
Women's T20 World Cup 2024: How can India qualify for semifinals after 82-run win over Sri Lanka?
Ratan Tata's humility is for the world to see in THIS pic where he posed with MBA students
Joe Root scripts history in Multan Test, joins Virat Kohli in THIS elite list