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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
History shows that whenever we have a massive influx of international students , we invariably get community pushback and a risk to quality outcomes .
Picture : News Corp Australia
Return and earn
Influx of international students leads to scapegoating
By Arshmah jamal
The rapid return of international students post-Covid has seen Australia ’ s education market smash all records this year , but the rental crisis and abuse of the visa system could turn this comeback “ into a political battleground ”.
Visa data from the Department of Home Affairs found that a record of over 2.5 million temporary visas were issued – meaning around one in 10 Australians is currently a temporary migrant .
The explosion in numbers has been led by international students , with a record of 851,625 temporary student or graduate visas issued , up 87 per cent compared to last year ’ s 456,552 .
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics ( ABS ) showed from January to June of this year , international students spending on tuition fees , accommodation , travel , recreation and other living costs was worth a record $ 21.3bn .
Over the full year to June 2023 , international students spent $ 36.7bn – 77 per cent higher than the year earlier . Universities Australia chief Catriona Jackson told The Australian the surge in international education was “ adding billions of dollars to the economy and paying for the essential services all Australians rely on ”.
“ Australia is an export nation , and education is our largest services export and the biggest one we don ’ t dig out of the ground ,” Ms Jackson said .
“ When education exports are strong , Australia is strong .”
Despite the rebound in students also having a positive impact on skill shortages , particularly in low-skill jobs such as hospitality , International Education Association of Australia ’ s chief Phil Honeywood warned the sector to “ take a reality check ” on the strong growth numbers .
“ History shows that whenever we have a massive influx of international students , we invariably get community pushback and a risk to quality outcomes ,” Mr Honeywood said .
With students returning , they are also being blamed for the current rental crisis in major cities .
However , Eliza Owens , head of residential research for CoreLogic , told Financial Review that blaming students for rising rent and low availability missed other factors , such as “ constraints in the construction sector , changes in household composition , and a lack of social and affordable housing ”.
“ Scapegoating international students doesn ’ t do much for … fixing the housing system more broadly .”
At the end of August , the federal government announced the end of the controversial 408 visa – a special Covid visa that allowed students stranded in Australia to shift to full-time work – after it was found a number of people were using it as a loophole .
Brett Blacker , chief of English Australia , a peak body for English-language courses , said the visa was outdated due to every other Covid-related measure ending .
“ There is no rationale for this visa to exist ,” Mr Blacker said .
“ I am being contacted by colleges on a weekly basis about more students who arrive for a 10-week course to study English and then abandon it for a 408 because it gives them the right to 12 months unlimited work .”
“ Why approvals aren ’ t based on any sort of benchmarks opens it up to being exploited .” ■
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