To: The Australian Federal Government
Protect International Students and Their Families: Fair Visas
To the Minister for Education and the Minister for Home Affairs
International students make a valuable educational, cultural, social and economic contribution to Australia. They enrich classrooms, communities and workplaces and strengthen connections between Australia and the world. They deserve a migration and education system that protects integrity while treating genuine students, their partners and dependent children fairly, safely and humanely.
We recognise the Government’s responsibility to maintain sustainable migration levels, prevent visa misuse and protect the quality of international education. However, broad restrictions should not create disproportionate hardship or force genuine students to remain with unsuitable, unsafe or poor-quality providers.
Students applying for visas offshore can face lengthy delays, financial pressure, disrupted study plans and separation from their families. Visa decisions should be timely, transparent and based on individual circumstances—not factors beyond an applicant’s control, such as a provider’s enrolment level or processing category.
Restrictions on changing providers may also leave students trapped in courses or institutions that no longer meet their educational, financial, health or personal needs. Flexible, fair transfer arrangements are essential to protect students from exploitation and support successful study outcomes.
We call on the Australian Government to
International students make a valuable educational, cultural, social and economic contribution to Australia. They enrich classrooms, communities and workplaces and strengthen connections between Australia and the world. They deserve a migration and education system that protects integrity while treating genuine students, their partners and dependent children fairly, safely and humanely.
We recognise the Government’s responsibility to maintain sustainable migration levels, prevent visa misuse and protect the quality of international education. However, broad restrictions should not create disproportionate hardship or force genuine students to remain with unsuitable, unsafe or poor-quality providers.
Students applying for visas offshore can face lengthy delays, financial pressure, disrupted study plans and separation from their families. Visa decisions should be timely, transparent and based on individual circumstances—not factors beyond an applicant’s control, such as a provider’s enrolment level or processing category.
Restrictions on changing providers may also leave students trapped in courses or institutions that no longer meet their educational, financial, health or personal needs. Flexible, fair transfer arrangements are essential to protect students from exploitation and support successful study outcomes.
We call on the Australian Government to
Ensure fair offshore visa processing:
Assess offshore applications consistently and within reasonable timeframes, with clear information about requirements, priorities and reasons for delays or refusals.
Restore fair provider choice:
Allow genuine students to transfer to another suitable CRICOS-registered provider after six months, or earlier in compelling circumstances, while maintaining safeguards against fraud and sham enrolments.
Guarantee humanitarian exceptions:
Provide a timely exemption process for serious illness, disability, pregnancy, bereavement, family crisis, domestic or family violence, exploitation, discrimination, financial hardship, provider misconduct, course closure or inadequate support.
Protect partners and dependants:
Provide fair pathways for eligible partners and children to accompany or reunite with students at all study levels, not only research students. Decisions should consider family unity, health, childcare, employment, domestic violence and the best interests of children. A genuine provider transfer should not unfairly jeopardise a family member’s visa.
Provide transparency and review:
Give written reasons for refusals and access to prompt, independent review. Students should not face automatic adverse visa consequences while genuine applications are being considered.
Migration integrity and humane treatment can work together through targeted, evidence-based safeguards.
International students and their families deserve timely decisions, safety, dignity, fairness and a genuine opportunity to succeed in Australia.
Why is this important?
This matters because international students are not just visa holders—they are people building futures in Australia while often living far from family, support and security. When students are trapped with unsafe or unsuitable education providers, or when visa rules keep partners and children apart, the consequences can be devastating. It can mean stress, anxiety, financial hardship, interrupted study and serious harm to family wellbeing.
Many students come to Australia in good faith, invest enormous savings and work hard to contribute to campus life, local communities and the economy. They deserve a system that is fair, humane and transparent. No one should have to choose between staying in an unsafe situation, losing their education, or being separated from their loved ones.
This campaign is about basic fairness: protecting family unity, allowing genuine students to move to better providers, and making visa decisions clearer and more compassionate. If we want Australia to be safe, welcoming and just, this change matters.