Various groups protest changes in Australia's visa rules for international students

The ‘Solidarity Night’ was held in front of the Home Affairs office in Melbourne, led by the Support Network for International Students along with the Centre for Migrant Workers’ Concerns, The Foundation for Young Australians, Anakbayan Melbourne, and Migrante Australia.

The ‘Solidarity Night’ was held in front of the Home Affairs office in Melbourne, led by the Support Network for International Students along with the Centre for Migrant Workers’ Concerns, The Foundation for Young Australians, Anakbayan Melbourne, and Migrante Australia. Credit: Support Network for International Students

Key Points

• According to the Department of Education, the number of student visa holders in Australia has exceeded 704,000, with the Philippines ranking fourth among the countries with the highest number of international students.
• Due to many international students being affected by the changes in visa rules, several groups of student visa holders and organisations across various states conducted protests to express their opposition to some measures that have been implemented by the Department of Home Affairs.
• The rally organisers encouraged fellow Filipinos and other international students in Australia affected by these policies to exercise their rights and freedom to express their views without fear and apprehension.