According to the figures released by the Department of Home Affairs, around 80,000 International Students have arrived in Australia since late 2021.
The federal government says nearly 13,500 International Students arrived in Australia last week alone – a 33% increase on the week prior.
“The Morrison Government is welcoming a surge of International Students and Backpacker visa applications and arrivals since our announcement last month of visa fee refunds,” Minister of Home Affairs Alex Hawke said in a statement on Thursday.
Moreover, 1,000 Backpackers arrived in Australia last week, with nearly 35,000 Working Holiday Maker visas approved since November 2021.
Australia announced a Visa Application Charge refund for International Student and Working Holiday Maker visa applicants earlier this year.
International students have the visa fees waived for eight weeks from 19 January, while for working holidaymakers, it is for 12 weeks.
“International education supports 240,000 Australian jobs and contributed almost $38 billion to the Australian economy in 2018-19. The Working Holiday Maker program is worth $3.1 billion to the Australian economy, with backpackers filling vital workforce shortages while spending more of their time and money in regional Australia,” said Minister Hawke.
“There are more jobs now available in Australia than before the COVID-19-Pandemic, and there are still many more places available to Backpackers and Students that we are ready to fill.”
The country will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, including tourists, business travellers, and other visitors, from 21 February.
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