An Australian international education strategist has raised concerns about the necessity of proposed legislation to impose caps on foreign enrolments at every college and university. Canberra has pledged to support the integrity and sustainability of international education by setting limits on overseas admissions at each institution.
The government intends to consult the education sector before implementing these caps. Institutions will be allowed to exceed their quotas if they develop new purpose-built student accommodations for both international and domestic students, aiming to ease the pressure on the rental market.
This proposal is part of a series of measures included in legislation set to be introduced into parliament this week, primarily targeting the vocational education sector. The legislation also aims to prevent educational providers from owning education agencies, cancel dormant college registrations, ban foreign student recruitment by colleges under serious investigation, pause registrations of new colleges and courses, prohibit agent commissions on student transfers between Australian institutions, and require colleges to demonstrate a track record of quality in domestic education before recruiting foreign students.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil emphasized the significance of international education as a “huge national asset” that benefits the country only when managed effectively. She highlighted the government’s strategy to establish a smaller, more strategic migration system, noting that international student visa grants have returned to pre-pandemic levels. The focus now is on managing student numbers strategically for the long term.
Dirk Mulder, a former director of international education at Murdoch University and the University of South Australia, and founder of the industry news site The Koala, argued that institutional caps already exist through the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (Cricos). Registration with Cricos, administered by the Department of Education, is mandatory for institutions hosting international students.
Mulder pointed out that the number of foreign students allowed in Australia has risen steadily as new colleges and courses have been added to the register. Capacity limits under Cricos currently total 1.52 million across almost 1,500 institutions, while Australia recorded 975,000 overseas enrolments last year. He suggested that the government could manage foreign student numbers more effectively by applying Cricos limits more rigorously.
Mulder questioned why this issue is being handled through the immigration portfolio when established mechanisms in the education portfolio could address it without generating negative publicity. He expressed the sector’s sentiment of being caught off guard by the immigration minister’s actions.
The proposed legislation follows other recent government measures to limit foreign enrolments, including delaying student visa processing, rejecting more applications, downgrading risk ratings of institutions, retracting increases to graduate work rights, and raising proof-of-funds requirements for foreign students. The federal budget on May 14 is also expected to include an increase in visa application fees. These actions represent a notable shift from the previous government rhetoric advocating for more overseas graduates to address Australian skill shortages.
Universities Australia highlighted that decades of strategic efforts by universities and the government have made international education one of Australia’s great success stories. Chief Executive Luke Sheehy stressed the need for certainty, stability, and growth in the sector, warning against squandering past achievements.
The Australian Technology Network of universities echoed the importance of good policy, emphasizing international education’s contribution to the national economy. Chair Harlene Hayne noted that international students significantly enhance the vibrancy of university campuses, classrooms, and communities.
Conversely, La Trobe University supported the government’s initiative to ensure sufficient accommodation for international students and alleviate housing shortages. Vice-Chancellor Theo Farrell endorsed the proposed International Education and Skills Strategic Framework, which the government has released for discussion. Farrell believes the framework could provide certainty amid the current challenges faced by international students.
The government plans to finalize and release the framework later this year, aiming to establish a managed system for sustainable growth. This framework will encourage Australian institutions to offer courses offshore, contributing to a balanced and strategic approach to international education.
In conclusion, while the proposed caps and associated measures have sparked debate within the sector, the government remains focused on creating a sustainable and strategically managed international education system. The final framework, expected later this year, will be pivotal in shaping the future of Australia’s international education landscape.
