the viability of economic development initiatives and sustainable growth strategies considering the changes presented in the Migration Strategy .
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research was undertaken in partnership with Experience Gold Coast .
While the intent of these reforms is to strengthen the integrity and quality of international education , there is concern over the impacts it will have on student attraction and industry growth .
Supply , on the other hand , has fluctuated and in 2023 experienced a significant decline well below the industry demand . The shortage of workers to meet the continued rise in demand could not only lead to challenges for individual businesses ( e . g . maintaining service quality and sustaining business operations ), but also impact the overall growth and stability of the industry . If the new reforms result in a drop in future enrolments , this will further impact the available workforce for the accommodation and food service industry .
However , work hours for student visa holders have increased under the Migration Strategy , which could positively benefit the local economy . Increasing the work hours to 24 hours per week during study terms and full-time during study breaks may assist in addressing the gap between supply and demand by increasing the capacity of the existing workforce supply . This increase also places Australia as a more competitive destination for attracting international students . Other destinations such as
Canada , UK , Europe , and New Zealand currently have work hours capped at 20 hours per week for student visa holders .
While the Migration Strategy provides both opportunities and challenges for international education , further work is required to support the growth of Gold Coast ’ s education and training industry . Future-proofing this valuable sector requires strategic investments in infrastructure , policy advocacy , and targeted economic development initiatives . Gold Coast education providers are investing in purpose-built student accommodation , strengthening post-study career opportunities by partnering with local businesses , and advocating for qualification reform in the VET system . Additionally , the City of Gold Coast funds entities , such as Experience Gold Coast ( formerly Study Gold Coast ), who drive economic development initiatives for the international education sector .
CONCLUSION Our analysis highlights the significant contribution international students have to Gold Coast ’ s local economy . This is particularly evident for Higher Education and VET programs , which represent almost two thirds of international enrolments . These programs also have the highest economic impact per student in terms of value added to the local economy . To futureproof the international education sector , a multifaceted approach is required . For Gold Coast , economic development initiatives should focus on current challenges and strategic planning to support sustainable growth . Further research should explore
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DR ALEXANDRA ( ALI ) BEC Dr Alexandra Bec is currently a Senior Economic Research Analyst with more than 10 years ’ experience in research and analytics . She has experience working in academic , industry , and local government on strategic research projects . Ali ’ s areas of expertise include socio-economic and industry development , investment evaluation , and economic policy .
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