Is the “Fair Go” Gone?
jan karel bejcek Australia built its reputation on one principle: a fair go. But today, it feels like that principle is disappearing, especially in immigration.
Legitimate visa applicants are being refused without the opportunity to provide further evidence, clarify minor issues, or correct administrative details. Meanwhile, some individuals seem to enter the country with minimal checks and scrutiny.
And the data now confirms the consequences. In 2024–25 alone, approximately 85,700 student visas were refused, generating over $137 million in fees, even though many applicants were never given a chance to respond or provide further evidence before refusal.
The biggest declines are in the very sectors Australia says it wants to attract:
- Vocational Education & Training: down 46.8%
- Independent ELICOS: down 45.2%
- Higher Education: down 15.7%
- Schools: down 22.8%
These aren’t “low-quality” applicants. These are future students, workers, taxpayers, skilled migrants, researchers, and fee-paying contributors to the Australian economy. A simple request for additional documents or clarification could prevent thousands of unnecessary refusals.
– That’s not complex.
– That’s not burdensome.
– That’s just fair.
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