Australia cuts visa applications for hairdressing, cookery students

SYDNEY: Australia yesterday axed 20,000 migrant applications in a major overhaul aimed at clamping down on foreign students gaining permanent residency through courses such as hairdressing and cookery.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the reforms, which follow a sudden rise in Australia's Indian population and an embarrassing rash of attacks on students from the country, would give priority to migrants with higher skills.

Evans said about 20,000 overseas applicants would have their fees refunded at a cost of $14 million ($12 million US), while new rules would require better English skills and target the "best and brightest".