Immigration minister 'studying' push to grant residency to Hobart international student Devarshi Deka after alleged assault left him paraplegic

The federal immigration minister says he has “sought information” about visa options for an Indian student left paraplegic following an alleged assault on Hobart's waterfront last year .

Devarshi Deka, known as Dev, arrived in Hobart last year to study at the University of Tasmania (UTAS).

But an alleged assault on Hobart's waterfront in November left him paraplegic and gradually going blind in his left eye.

He received life-saving treatment at the Royal Hobart Hospital and is now being treated at the city's repatriation center.

His family and friends worry about what will happen next, with his insurance company only paying for his treatment until he makes “medical progress” and then his flight home.

As an international student, Dev does not have access to Centrelink or the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and his family fears he will not be able to get the consistent care he needs in India.

A campaign for Dev to obtain permanent residency in Australia has been underway for several months, including through a petition tabled in Parliament last week which urged Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff to make the case for residency to the federal minister .

The petition has been signed by more than 6,400 people, with Mr Rockliff promising to “put on a show in Canberra”.