Tightening visa processes for migrant workers and international students are some of the biggest measures proposed by the Albanese government as it cracks down on the "broken" migration system in Australia.

The government has revealed its 10-year migration strategy which includes Australia's current migration numbers and how it proposes to curb them. 

Australia's net migration is believed to have peaked last financial year at 510,000 and is forecast to fall to more normal levels, down to 375,000 next year and 250,000 in 2025.

The government says without new policies, migration levels would have remained higher for longer — at 440,000 next year and 305,000 the following year.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said changes to the migration system announced and implemented earlier this year are already putting "downward pressure" on net migration.

So how does the government plan on bringing down migration levels by almost half?

New visa

The government says there are five key objectives for its migration strategy which include raising living standards for Australians, ensuring good working conditions and strengthening international relationships.

It will introduce a new visa, the skills in demand visa that will replace the existing temporary skill shortage visa. 

"This new visa will give workers more opportunity to move employers and will provide clear pathways to permanent residence for those who want to pursue them," the review says. 

There are three pathways to the four-year visa, with each pathway defined by skill level.  

One for specialists skills, attracting highly skilled workers from sectors such as technology and energy.

That pathway will be open to eligible applicants earning at least $135,000 in any occupation except trade workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers. 

One for core skills to meet workforce needs with a "simpler" regularly updated occupation list to be developed over time reflecting the job market in Australia. 

And, a to be developed third pathway is for an essential skills pathway, with a labour shortage focus for those on lower incomes. 

The government believes the new pathways will add $3.4 billion to the budget's bottom line over the next 10 years.

Language requirements to study

The government also intends to "lift the standards" for international students and education providers to ensure that those who come to study do not become "permanently temporary".

There will be higher English language requirements for students wanting to study in Australia, which the government says will look to "improve the quality of students' educational experience in Australia and reduce potential workplace exploitation".

Under the International English Language Testing System, students applying for a Graduate visa will require a score of 6.5 up from 6.0, while student visa applicants will need a 6.0 up from 5.5.

The government says international students and graduates make up the largest share of "permanently temporary" migrants, with 108,000 having stayed in Australia for five or more years.

 

The migration changes will affect the university sector.(ABC News: Lucas Hill)

Visa hopping clampdown

Under the new plan, there will be more scrutiny of those applying for a second visa, with the number of international students staying in Australia on multiple successive student visas growing by more than 30 per cent to 150,000 last year.

"The prevalence of international students moving from course to course, particularly to courses that are below their current level of study, to prolong their stay in Australia has been growing," the government's migration strategy notes. 

The government will apply additional scrutiny to international students applying for another student visa, using the genuine student test which will require the student to prove that any further education they apply for would advance their academic aspirations or further their career.