Australia to restrict student, backpacker visas in migration clampdown

Australia will cut migration by toughening visa rules for foreign students, backpackers , and working holiday-makers, the Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Thursday. Under the new rules, foreign students will no longer be allowed to bring partners and children to join them while they study in Australia, while people who overstay their working holiday visas will face tougher enforcement. The government is also cracking down on so-called "visa hopping," where foreign migrants who are already in Australia move from one type of temporary visa to another to extend their stay. "If you want to come on a temporary basis to Australia, apply for a temporary visa. If you want ‌to ​come to Australia permanently, apply for a permanent visa.