Latest news with #AustralianDepartmentofHomeAffairs
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Talent exodus fuels growing brain drain
JAKARTA: Indonesia has seen an increasing outflow of skilled young adults seeking work abroad in a brain drain phenomenon experts attribute to concern around job opportunities within the country. Twenty-five-year-old political science graduate Fikri Haikal obtained a working holiday visa (WHV) in Australia and now makes a living as a poultry factory worker. 'I never thought I would be a factory worker,' he said, explaining that his original plan had been to go abroad for higher education, but he failed to get a scholarship, and peer influence then convinced him to join the WHV programme instead. He had searched and applied for jobs in Indonesia, Fikri said, but received no job offers. 'Meanwhile, in Australia, securing a job is easy because there is a shortage of labour in certain sectors, such as in manufacturing,' he told The Jakarta Post on May 23. Indonesians are the largest citizenship group in Australia's WHV programme, with the number of granted visas surging from 2,984 in the 2022 to 2023 period to 4,285 in 2023 to 2024, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs. On social media, graduates and young professionals have been sharing their experiences with the WHV programme, citing better pay and quality of life, though some caution that 'it is not as easy as it looks'. Hashtag #KaburAjaDulu (Just get out first) has been gaining traction on social media this year as frustration and pessimism mount over the country's economic situation and work conditions, encouraging people to seek better jobs abroad. The blue-collar job in Australia provides Fikri with a salary exceeding his living costs, in addition to access to public facilities and a diverse sociocultural experience. On the other side of the globe, Viona Maharani, a graduate from a vocational tourism college in Bali, is interning in the hospitality industry after recently relocating to the United States. With prior experience as a casual worker at three five-star hotels in Bali, Viona sought to develop her career. Acquaintances of hers who had worked abroad had told her that the United States offered better opportunities for income and skill development.' I will highly (value opportunities) to keep enriching my experience of working abroad, whether that will continue to be in the United States or another country,' Vio told the Post yesterday. Experts say this brain drain, or the large-scale emigration of highly educated graduates and skilled professionals in search of better opportunities and a higher standard of living, threatens economic growth if not handled properly. Centre of Reform on Economics (Core) Indonesia executive director Mohammad Faisal warned that a prolonged brain drain could lead to the country losing its best talent, who would otherwise contribute to job creation at home by helping to attract investment and driving technological progress. Limited job opportunities mean the country's skilled workforce is not optimally absorbed, he said, as reflected in a shrinking share of formal compared with informal employment. A recent report published by Core finds Indonesia lagging other countries of South-East Asia when it comes to youth employment, or those aged 15 to 24. Last year, the International Labour Organisation estimated that the youth unemployment rate in Indonesia stood at 13.1%, higher than in peer countries like India, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. A biannual survey published earlier this month by Statistics Indonesia put youth unemployment at 16.16%, more than three times the overall unemployment rate of 4.76%. According to the Core report, the stagnating youth employment reflects a failure to tap into the country's demographic dividend, with Indonesia now at risk of a demographic paradox: 'getting old before getting rich'. Tadjuddin Noer Effendi, a labour expert at Gadjah Mada University or UGM, expressed doubt about the 'Golden Indonesia' vision of turning the country into one of the world's largest economies by 2045, given that skilled talent was moving abroad. 'The brain drain can slow down innovation and hinders technological development, which ultimately affects economic competitiveness,' he explained to the Post on May 22. Tadjuddin also argued that the brain drain was driven by increasing labour market uncertainty amid a lack of job opportunities and a surge in layoffs this year, as well as by widespread corruption and extortion disrupting the investment climate. He warned that the emigration of skilled workers could leave sectors like health, technology and education facing labour shortages, and should more young and productive workers move overseas, the country risked being left with an ageing population. However, Tajuddin noted a silver lining in the fact that migrants were often 'heroes of foreign exchange'. Often well paid, Indonesian skilled workers living abroad could contribute to an increase in foreign exchange through remittances. Migrants have long contributed significantly to the country's foreign exchange receipts, with the remittance inflow rising 13% to 253 trillion rupiah (US$15.57bil) last year, according to the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency. Tajuddin also suggested that the government seize the opportunity of maximising the potential of brain gain, which would require providing adequate innovation infrastructure and facilities to attract and retain skilled talent. 'In the future, if the government can invite Indonesians living abroad back to Indonesia, it will be a huge gain, because they have plenty of experience and knowledge from abroad,' Tajuddin said. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesia faces brain drain as skilled graduates leave for jobs abroad
JAKARTA: Indonesia has seen an increasing outflow of skilled young adults seeking work abroad in a brain drain phenomenon experts attribute to concern around job opportunities within the country. Twenty-five-year-old political science graduate Fikri Haikal obtained a working holiday visa (WHV) in Australia and now makes a living as a poultry factory worker. 'I never thought I would be a factory worker,' he said, explaining that his original plan had been to go abroad for higher education, but he failed to get a scholarship, and peer influence then convinced him to join the WHV programme instead. He had searched and applied for jobs in Indonesia, Fikri said, but received no job offers. 'Meanwhile, in Australia, securing a job is easy, because there is a shortage of labour in certain sectors, such as in manufacturing,' he told The Jakarta Post on May 23. Indonesians are the largest citizenship group in Australia's WHV programme, with the number of granted visas surging from 2,984 in the 2022-2023 period to 4,285 in 2023-2024, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs. On social media, graduates and young professionals have been sharing their experiences with the WHV programme, citing better pay and quality of life, though some caution that 'it is not as easy as it looks'. Frustrated jobseekers Hashtag #KaburAjaDulu (Just get out first) has been gaining traction on social media this year as frustration and pessimism mount over the country's economic situation and work conditions, encouraging people to seek better jobs abroad. The blue-collar job in Australia provides Fikri with a salary exceeding his living costs, in addition to access to public facilities and a diverse sociocultural experience. On the other side of the globe, Viona Maharani, a graduate from a vocational tourism college in Bali, is interning in the hospitality industry after recently relocating to the United States. With prior experience as a casual worker at three five-star hotels in Bali, Viona sought to develop her career. Acquaintances of hers who had worked abroad had told her that the US offered better opportunities for income and skill development. 'I will highly [value opportunities] to keep enriching my experience of working abroad, whether that will continue to be in the US or another country,' Vio told the Post on Sunday (June 1). Experts say this brain drain, or the large-scale emigration of highly educated graduates and skilled professionals in search of better opportunities and a higher standard of living, threatens economic growth, if not handled properly. Center of Reform on Economics (Core) Indonesia executive director Mohammad Faisal warned that a prolonged brain drain could lead to the country losing its best talent, who would otherwise contribute to job creation at home by helping to attract investment and driving technological progress. Limited job opportunities mean the country's skilled workforce is not optimally absorbed, he said, as reflected in a shrinking share of formal compared with informal employment. A recent report published by Core finds Indonesia lagging other countries of Southeast Asia when it comes to youth employment, or those aged 15 to 24. Last year, the International Labour Organisation estimated that the youth unemployment rate in Indonesia stood at 13.1 percent, higher than in peer countries like India, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. A biannual survey published earlier this month by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) put youth unemployment at 16.16 percent, more than three times the overall unemployment rate of 4.76 percent. According to the Core report, the stagnating youth employment reflects a failure to tap into the country's demographic dividend, with Indonesia now at risk of a demographic paradox: 'getting old before getting rich'. Tadjuddin Noer Effendi, a labor expert at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), expressed doubt about the 'Golden Indonesia' vision of turning the country into one of the world's largest economies by 2045, given that skilled talent was moving abroad. 'The brain drain can slow down innovation [...] and hinders technological development, which ultimately affects economic competitiveness,' he explained to the Post on May 22. Tadjuddin also argued that the brain drain was driven by increasing labour market uncertainty amid a lack of job opportunities and a surge in layoffs this year, as well as by widespread corruption and extortion disrupting the investment climate. He warned that the emigration of skilled workers could leave sectors like health, technology and education facing labour shortages, and should more young and productive workers move overseas, the country risked being left with an aging population. From brain drain to brain gain? However, Tajuddin noted a silver lining in the fact that migrants were often 'heroes of foreign exchange'. Often well paid, Indonesian skilled workers living abroad could contribute to an increase in foreign exchange through remittances. Migrants have long contributed significantly to the country's foreign exchange receipts, with the remittance inflow rising 13 percent to Rp 253 trillion (US$15.57 billion) last year, according to the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI). Tajuddin also suggested that the government seize the opportunity of maximising the potential of brain gain, which would require providing adequate innovation infrastructure and facilities to attract and retain skilled talent. 'In the future, if the government can [invite Indonesians living abroad] back to Indonesia, it will be a huge gain, because they have plenty of experience and knowledge from abroad,' Tajuddin said. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
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First Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Why are Australian universities restricting Indian students from 6 states?
At least six Australian universities have imposed restrictions on student applications from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir after visa rejection rates for Indian students hit 24.3 per cent. The Australian Department of Home Affairs flagged one in four Indian applications as 'fraudulent or non-genuine', prompting universities to tighten admissions and review assessments read more Federation University, a public university in Ballarat, Australia has reportedly emerged as one of the primary institutions enforcing these limitations. Image/ Several Australian universities have reportedly introduced unprecedented restrictions targeting student applications from six Indian states — Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. This move, driven by serious concerns about student visa misuse and the perceived abuse of Australia's international education system, has reshaped the country's student intake dynamics, especially concerning one of its largest student-sending nations. These restrictions are not uniform across all educational institutions but are being independently implemented by select universities based on internal assessments and directives issued to their education agents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Most affected students now face either outright rejection of their applications or must undergo significantly more rigorous scrutiny, often involving extended documentation checks and elevated verification standards. Growing visa fraud and dropout concerns The root of the restrictions lies in a disturbing rise in the number of non-genuine applications from certain regions in India. According to recent figures shared by Australia's Department of Home Affairs, approximately 24.3 per cent of student visa applications from India have been deemed 'fraudulent' or 'non-genuine' — a level not seen since 2012. The agency flagged multiple patterns of misuse including the submission of forged academic transcripts, falsified financial records, and an intent to use education visas as a pathway to permanent immigration, rather than for genuine study. Authorities also pointed to academic disengagement and concerning dropout trends from students of the affected regions. Institutions reported that some students were shifting to different courses or universities shortly after arrival, or were prioritising off-campus work over academic responsibilities. In response, universities have tightened their recruitment processes and ceased engagement with education agents operating in specific high-risk regions. 'Dodgy providers have no place in our international education sector. These actions will help weed out the bottom feeders in the sector that seek to exploit people and trash the reputation of the sector,' Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said in 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Key universities enforcing the restrictions The universities leading the implementation of these restrictions include Federation University and Western Sydney University, reported Y-Axis, a private publishing website that focuses on issues related to immigration etc. Federation University directed its education partners to stop recruiting students from Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The university observed 'a significant increase in the proportion of visa applications being refused' from these states. Similarly, Western Sydney University advised against student recruitment from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, citing that students who began courses in 2022 from these regions showed 'a significantly high attrition rate'. The university's communication referred to these areas as posing 'the highest attrition risk'. Other universities adopting similar measures include Edith Cowan University, Victoria University, Southern Cross University and Torrens University. These institutions have not uniformly banned applicants from these Indian states but have either advised their education partners to pause recruitment or instituted elevated levels of applicant scrutiny. In some cases, admissions have been temporarily frozen while student sourcing strategies undergo review. Universities acting independently It is important to note that these restrictions are not part of any official policy from the Australian federal government. The Australian High Commission has clarified that there is 'no federal ban' on students from any Indian state. Rather, these are institution-specific decisions, based on individual risk assessments conducted by universities. These policy shifts follow repeated warnings from the Australian government over unethical student recruitment practices. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2024, Canberra cautioned universities against admission strategies that encouraged record levels of migration without ensuring academic credibility or visa integrity. Increased financial requirements for international students Alongside the university-level restrictions, in 2024, the Australian government had revised its financial requirements for student visa applicants. Effective May 10, 2024, international students must now show proof of savings amounting to A$29,710 (approximately ₹16.2 lakh) to qualify for a student visa. This represents the second financial threshold increase in just seven months — up from A$24,505 (approximately ₹13.3 lakh) in October 2023, and A$21,041 (approximately ₹11.4 lakh) prior to that. According to the Department of Home Affairs, 'The financial capacity requirement has been updated to align with a proportion (75 percent) of the national minimum wage.' Additional financial requirements include: A$10,394 (approximately ₹5.7 lakh) for a spouse or partner (previously A$8,574) A$4,449 (approximately ₹2.5 lakh) for each dependent child (previously A$3,670) A$13,502 (approximately ₹7.4 lakh) for annual school costs (previously A$9,661) These hikes are intended to ensure that international students are financially self-sufficient, particularly as Australia faces ongoing housing shortages following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022. Strain on education sector in Australia Australia has seen a rapid rise in international student enrollments over the past two decades. While domestic student numbers grew by 84 per cent between 2000 and 2020, international student enrollments surged by 370 per cent during the same period. As of 2020, international students made up 29 per cent of all Australian university students — more than double their share in 2000. This increase has turned international education into a major financial driver for universities, prompting debates over whether academic standards are being compromised to accommodate this revenue stream. The Institute of Public Affairs has raised alarms about the sustainability of this model, claiming that 'Australia's universities have been allowed to transform into little more than degree factories for international students.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Concerns over system integrity have only intensified with the revelation that despite lower dropout rates among international students (19 per cent) compared to domestic students (25 per cent), patterns of academic disengagement, especially from specific regions, are creating operational challenges for universities. Confusion among genuine applicants in India The new restrictions have caused widespread confusion and concern among legitimate Indian applicants, particularly those already in the visa pipeline or who had paid application fees. Education consultants across India report that hundreds of students have been caught off guard by the policy changes, which were not always publicly communicated in advance. India remains one of Australia's most significant sources of international students. Many education experts believe that unless this issue is resolved diplomatically or through better policy coordination, bilateral educational relations could be strained. The timing is particularly sensitive, as many students previously affected by stricter US student visa rules under President Donald Trump were looking to Australia as a viable alternative. What lies ahead? While some universities reportedly relaxed their restrictions towards the end of 2023, the general trend across the Australian higher education sector points to increased vigilance when processing student applications from regions with higher rates of visa rejections and attrition. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that they are collaborating with universities to streamline visa processing and prevent abuse of the system. In the interim, education consultants are advising students from the restricted regions to plan well in advance, seek transparent guidance from credible agents and consider diversifying their university preferences within Australia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Don't deport us over health issue' say couple
A British couple who face being deported from Australia after one of them was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) have said it is not fair the life they built could be taken away "any minute". Jessica Mathers, 30, and boyfriend Rob O'Leary had their bid for permanent residency rejected in 2023 due to the potential cost to health services of treating her condition. The project manager and DJ from Macclesfield, who has lived in Sydney since 2017, said the couple had been "living in a state of uncertainty" for years as they waited for an outcome of an appeal against the decision. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has been contacted for comment. Ms Mathers and Mr O'Leary, 31, from East London, met while backpacking in the country in 2017 and have lived there ever since. He started a business in the carpentry and construction trade three years ago, and said the couple had "made the most of our lives here". But Ms Mathers's diagnosis of the relapsing-remitting variant of MS in 2020 has led to a visa battle with authorities that could see the pair thrown out of the country. Symptoms are typically mild for this form of MS, according to the NHS, but about half of cases can develop into a more progressive form of the disease. She has received treatment in Australia under a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and said her condition had been "well managed" so far. But the couple's requests for permanent residency were rejected in 2023 due to the costs associated with her medical care. Non-citizens entering Australia must meet certain health requirements, including not having "unduly increasing costs" for the country's publicly-funded healthcare service Medicare. The couple lodged an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal after the visa rejection in 2023, and have been waiting for the past two years for an outcome. Mr O'Leary said they had offered to pay the medical costs themselves or take out private insurance, "but the law is black and white, and the refusal is based on that, it's really hard for us". They have started an online petition to call for Australia's Minister for Home Affairs to review their case and look into immigration policies that "unfairly target individuals with well-managed health conditions". Mr O'Leary said the couple were "not asking for special treatment" but a chance to continue "working hard to contribute to this country in meaningful ways". He said: "We've always paid tax, we've always worked, Jess has done heaps of charity work." Ms Mathers said the couple had been "stuck not knowing what to do" as they waited for the outcome of their appeal, which had made it difficult for her to find anything other than temporary work. She said: "It's held up our whole life, it's really upsetting. "We know that we could get a refusal from the tribunal and then get given 28 days to leave the country, at any minute. "We've got so much opportunity in Australia, and to walk away from it would be so sad." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Please don't deport us over MS diagnosis' pleads British couple
A British couple who face being deported from Australia after one of them was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) have said it is not fair the life they built could be taken away "any minute". Jessica Mathers, 30, and boyfriend Rob O'Leary had their bid for permanent residency rejected in 2023 due to the potential cost to health services of treating her project manager and DJ from Macclesfield, who has lived in Sydney since 2017, said the couple had been "living in a state of uncertainty" for years as they waited for an outcome of an appeal against the decision. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has been contacted for comment. Ms Mathers and her boyfriend Rob O'Leary, 31, from East London, met while backpacking in the country in 2017 and have lived there ever started a business in the carpentry and construction trade three years ago, and said the couple had "made the most of our lives here". But Ms Mathers's diagnosis of the relapsing-remitting variant of MS in 2020 has led to a visa battle with authorities that could see the pair thrown out of the are typically mild for this form of MS, according to the NHS, but about half of cases can develop into a more progressive form of the has received treatment in Australia under a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and said her condition was "well managed" so her and her boyfriend's requests for permanent residency were rejected in 2023 due to the costs associated with her medical care. Non-citizens entering Australia must meet certain health requirements, including not having "unduly increasing costs" for the country's publicly-funded healthcare service Medicare. The couple lodged an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal after the visa rejection in 2023, and have been waiting for the past two years for an O'Leary said they had offered to pay the medical costs themselves or take out private insurance, "but the law is black and white, and the refusal is based on that, it's really hard for us". They have started an online petition to call for the Australia's Minister for Home Affairs to review their case and look into immigration policies that "unfairly target individuals with well-managed health conditions". Mr O'Leary said the couple were "not asking for special treatment" but a chance to continue "working hard to contribute to this country in meaningful ways". He said: "We've always paid tax, we've always worked, Jess has done heaps of charity work." Ms Mathers said the couple had been "stuck not knowing what to do" as they waited for the outcome of their appeal, which had made it difficult for her to find anything other than temporary said: "It's held up our whole life, it's really upsetting."We know that we could get a refusal from the tribunal and then get given 28 days to leave the country, at any minute."We've got so much opportunity in Australia, and to walk away from it would be so sad." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
