Genming Zhang, a 28-year-old PhD student applicant from China, is caught in an inhumane bind. It’s been eight months since she sent in her visa application to come study at RMIT University in Melbourne. Zhang is worried about her scholarship offer, which is only guaranteed for 12 months. She is worried even that she won’t have enough time to get approval to be able to enter Australia. Her experiences are shared by countless other international students who resonate with her plight. Over time, this has provoked a sense of desperation, unrest, and apprehension among them.
For example, Zhang is in a WeChat group with 463 other members. The majority of them are other students desperately waiting on their visa approvals after receiving enrolment offers. Subsequently, many of these new members largely resound Zhang’s concerns regarding lengthy wait times. According to the Department of Home Affairs, 90% of subclass 500 visas are processed within a maximum of seven months. Zhang’s application is in the “green” category, meaning it’s still within the regular processing timeframe. As each month passes with no new information, she can’t help but feel worried.
I will tell them that — please don’t apply for the Australia schools,” Zhang advised prospective students. In her view, given the current state of things, there are just more reliable pathways through other countries for education. Please don’t rank the Australia schools at the top. It should be the third, it should be the fourth, it should be the five. Upper left, you want to apply to the other countries first, as the majority of the trouble spots in the visa,” she continued.
Zhang’s experience is further compounded by the significant costs she has to pay. Since February, she has already spent about $60,000 on housing, travel, and other living costs. At time of writing, she remains in Sydney waiting for her TFN visa to be processed. So is the majority of her fellow students. They psychosocially experience the load of economic and mental strain while they anxiously await determinations on their filings. Judy, another international student, expressed her frustrations: “First you’re waiting every morning, you open your phone, check your email. Nothing, nothing, nothing. You’re angry.”
Nishidhar Borra, president of the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India, pointed out that students are confused about their options amid ongoing global uncertainties. “You see students from India are actually confused. Which destination do I choose from at this stage?” he remarked. He argues that recent positive policy changes at the federal level could overcome these challenges to attract students.
In an effort to address international student concerns and enhance enrollment opportunities, the Australian government recently announced plans to admit an additional 25,000 students by 2026. As outlined by Education Minister Jason Clare, that means 295,000 international students will be provided a placement over this semester. The processing backlogs are still casting a cloud over these positive changes, causing many students like Zhang and Judy to remain in limbo.
When Zhang reflected on her experiences with officers of immigration enforcement. She found them useless, since they were unable to provide any concrete guidance or timelines for her application. “I talked to the officer … they cannot give me any suggestions, only waiting and they say they cannot do anything. They cannot help me,” she stated. All of this lack of support has made her increasingly worried about her future in Australia.
As international students adjust to this new normal, they still don’t have concrete assurances that visa processing times will get any better. Zhang, Judy, and others provide important accounts that expose a sobering reality. This strain may in turn damage Australia’s standing as one of the premier destinations for study abroad.
