August 27th 2024.
In the upcoming year of 2025, there will be a limit to the number of international students accepted into universities and vocational institutions. This news was announced by Education Minister Jason Clare as part of the federal government's plan to reform the education sector. The cap is set at 270,000 students, with 145,000 being allowed to study at publicly-funded universities and 95,000 at vocational institutions.
According to the Department of Education, international education contributed a whopping $47.8 billion to the Australian economy in 2023. This puts it among the top five highest-earning exports for the country, alongside iron ore, coal, gold, and natural gas. The individual caps for each institution will be determined based on various factors, including recent levels of new international student arrivals.
Clare mentioned that this cap would result in a similar number of international students starting their studies in 2025 as there are this year. However, it will have varying impacts on individual institutions. Bigger universities will have fewer new international students, while regional institutions will have more capacity to accept them. Clare stated that this change aims to create a fairer system, where the entire education sector benefits, not just a few lucky universities.
This reform will not affect certain students, such as those in international schools, research and PhD candidates, government-sponsored students, and students from the Pacific and Timor Leste. The implementation of this cap comes after pressure from the federal government to address growing concerns about the education sector.
Since the borders were lifted and restrictions were eased, international students have been returning to Australia in large numbers. In fact, there are now 10% more international students in universities compared to before the pandemic, and a staggering 50% more in private vocational and training providers. However, Clare also expressed concern about the return of unscrupulous individuals looking to exploit the industry for profit.
In response to the announcement, the National Tertiary Education Union has called on the federal government to ensure that this cap does not lead to job losses in the sector. Dr. Alison Barnes, NTEU National President, emphasized the need for the government to prevent university bosses from using this change as an excuse to cut jobs from an already overworked workforce.
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