IEAA calls on incoming Australian government for sector support

With just months until Australia’s federal election, though the exact date is still undecided, IEAA has published its federal election platform, containing 18 calls to action across the sector’s eco-system, asking elected representatives to endorse a number of key stakeholder engagement principles as well as specific sector policy reform priorities.

On behalf of its 4,000+ members, IEAA is calling on whichever party forms a government to support the recommendations which span three main themes: Integrity and Good Governance; Economic Development and Skills Integration; and Soft Power Diplomacy and Community Integration.

Among its recommendations, IEAA is seeking the launch of a new national strategy for international education, reviewing the current 2021-2030 strategy currently in place.

“Given recent decisions around enrolment limits (caps) and a focus on transnational education delivery, this review needs to factor in sustainable growth. If the blunt instrument of enrolment limits are to continue, the sector needs to have a co-design role that will ensure a fairer and more effective allocation for all providers,” outlined the peak body.

If the blunt instrument of enrolment limits are to continue, the sector needs to have a co-design role that will ensure a fairer and more effective allocation for all providers
_^IEAA

In 2024, the government’s attempt at imposing caps on international student enrolments was met with disdain, as stakeholders heavily criticised the methodology used to arrive at the provider-level caps, as well as a lack of consultation with the sector.

In the last few weeks, pre-election campaigns have intensified, featuring bold pledges on international education. At the recent Universities Australia Solutions summit, shadow education minister, Senator Sarah Henderson, reminded universities of the Coalition’s promise to impose even stricter caps on international enrolments than the current Albanese government is seeking, while taking aim at Labor’s international education policies.

Current education minister Jason Clare also addressed delegates, defending recent policy changes.

IEAA said in its federal election platform that constant policy changes have inflicted on Australia’s dynamic international education sector, damaged the nation’s standing with its Indo-Pacific neighbours and caused a “withdrawal of both human and financial capital investment”.

Elsewhere, the association wants a government that will ensure that Austrade is adequately funded to fulfil its role as the government’s offshore marketing arm for international education.

“For too long the tourism sector has been provided with financial, and other forms of government support, which is exponentially higher than the meagre funds provided to international education (currently a 1:10 funding ratio),” it highlighted.

And as Australia competes in a global skills race with competitor study destination countries, IEAA wants to ensure the sector and international students are in scope for Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). It would also like to see JSA providing clear communications to international students and providers about potential pathways to permanent residency before, during, and after their studies.

“While the majority of our international students return home, transparent and achievable migration pathways will be crucial to retaining outstanding overseas talent and world class research outputs,” read IEAA’s statement.

Other recommendations include increased efforts to support overseas students coming to Australia for short-term learning programs. IEAA said that the decision to increase non-refundable student visa application charges to the highest in the world (from $710 to $1,600) has created “negative perceptions about Australia’s willingness to engage in meaningful education exchange”.

The body is therefore calling on the federal government to reduce by 50% the student visa charge for overseas students pursuing short courses, executive education, English language programs, exchange programs and other courses of study of less than one year’s duration.

“We look forward to continuing to actively engage with all levels of government, business and the wider community on policy reform and renewal. Our world-class international education sector deserves nothing less,” the peak body commented.

All 18 of IEAA’s calls to action can be viewed this link.

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