US Student in Melbourne Weighs Early Departure Amid Australia's Visa Crackdown
Brianna Alvarado, a 30-year-old US student in Melbourne, is considering leaving Australia early after the government announced sweeping migration changes. Alvarado, who moved from a Working Holiday Visa to a student visa in 2024, cites the new 'No Further Stay' condition and high education costs as reasons for her potential departure. While Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke argues that shrinking household sizes, not immigration, drive the housing crisis, critics and experts point to NHSAC data showing rising adult-to-household ratios, contradicting his claims. The government aims to cut migration numbers from 292,100 to 245,000 by July 2027 to address population growth and housing supply issues.