High school student told to leave the country before his final exams

High school student Sky Camarce has been told by the Department of Home Affairs to leave the country before he has the chance to finish his High School Certificate. His visa was rejected due to a set of rules for student visas that the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre says is inconsistent with other types of visas.

High school student Sky Camarce has been told he has to leave Australia before he can complete his HSC

Key Points

• Originally from the Philippines, Mr. Camarce’s family is now based in the UAE. He moved to Australia in 2022 to join his mother, who is studying nursing. He is living in Australia as a secondary visa holder on his mother’s student visa.
• They reapplied for a new visa when it expired in March 2024, but Sky had turned 18 by the time the decision was made, which affected his visa status.
• Because his visa has now been rejected he is subject to the Section 48 Bar of the Migration Act which prevents onshore visa applications after a refusal.