SYDNEY — Australia said on Wednesday (May 8) it would raise the amount of savings international students will need to get a visa and warned several colleges of fraudulent student recruitment practises, as part of efforts to rein in record migration.

From Friday, international students must show proof of savings of at least A$29,710 (S$26,447) to get their visa, the second increase in about seven months. It was raised to A$24,505 from A$21,041 in October.

The moves follow a raft of actions in recent months to tighten the student visa rules as the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in 2022 triggered a sudden influx of migrants, exacerbating pressure on an already tight rental market.

English language requirements for student visas were increased in March and the government has been taking steps to end settings that allowed students to prolong their stay.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said warning letters had been sent to 34 education providers for "non-genuine or exploitative recruitment practises". They could be jailed for up to two years and banned from recruiting students if found guilty, she said.

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