Concerns were raised when the Morrison government removed any limits on how many hours international students could work with critics saying the move would lead to exploitation, higher failure rates, and rorting of the visa system.
In recent months, the Department of Home Affairs has been refusing applications from parts of India and Nepal over concerns of forged and non-genuine documentation.
The approval rate for vocational student visas from Nepal in April was 85 per cent, but fell to 30 per cent in June and just 7 per cent in July.
“Uncapped work rights is being misused by agents in many parts of the world who are flogging our precious student visa as some kind of cheap, low rent work visa. No one should permit that to continue,” Mr Hill said.
Limits on the number of hours international students can work will be reimposed next year.
A push from various business groups and think tanks to have education visas more tightly linked to permanent migration should also be rejected, Mr Hill said.
“We know that the incentive of a permanent visa to Australia is like a golden ticket from Willy Wonka’s chocolate bar,” Mr Hill said.
“It’s too powerful an incentive that would drive and pervert behaviour by providers, and some students.”
The previous Howard government’s linking of student visas to permanent residency resulted in a slew of dodgy colleges that mass-produced so-called qualifications so people could get residency.
“We have learned that lesson, but we do need…
