On March 31, the Australian federal government’s released its response to a 2023 interim report on worldwide education, resolving recommendations focused on improving the sector’s integrity and sustainability.
The action, collaborated by the Department of Education in assessment with federal government agencies, addresses the interim report which was published by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, tabled in October 2023 and which set out 29 suggestions for the government.
Much of the government’s action restates policy directions and legislation revealed in the years given that the report.
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) spoke with The PIE News, reflecting on some of these policy changes and responding to the federal government’s direction.
“Given that this parliamentary committee tabled its report way back in October 2023, it says a lot about the top priority managed to our sector that we have actually had to wait a remarkable 2.5 years for a main reaction,” said Honeywood, who added that “so much has happened considering that 2023 that a few of the suggestions are very much past their usage by date”.
Among the suggestions made by the committee argues the case for market diversification. “They even nominated some new concern countries from Africa and LATAM,” Honeywood remembers.
However, according to him, “the unfortunate truth is that our Home Affairs department has actually just paid lip service to any market diversification objective”.
“African students find it exceptionally difficult to get visas approved, our world’s most expensive visa charge has actually discouraged Latin American students and Austrade has suffered reduced moneying to support companies’ diversification campaigns. On the other hand, for geo-strategic factors, our federal government has moved rapidly to shore up encouraging policy settings for trainees from our Pacific neighbours.”
Elsewhere, a variety of the recommendations reference the desirability of targeted projects to inform Australian companies on opportunities to work with worldwide student graduates.
Nevertheless, Honeywood argues that the government “seems to be content to let peak bodies do any heavy lifting in this important policy location”.
“Similarly, there is no evidence that our federal government is willing to advance the cause of worldwide students getting in apprenticeships (due to excessive trade union opposition) or needing expert accreditation bodies to improve barriers to entry for abroad students.”
Honeywood welcomed the government’s action to the report’s suggestion to promote the growth of Purpose Developed Student Accommodation (PBSA).
“To this end, the government is allowing public universities to look for a boost in their enrolment limitations if they show they are building additional PBSA facilities. However, IEAA supporters that independent college suppliers should also be incentivised to dedicate to brand-new PBSA,” he described.
The Student Lodging Council has given that commented on the government’s in-principle support for expanding PBSA, however has actually likewise contacted state and city governments to play their part in unlocking more real estate for students.
“International education is a national economic possession, and trainee lodging is essential to its success. We invite the Australian government’s recognition that PBSA plays a critical function in guaranteeing the growth and sustainability of our global education sector,” said Adele Lausberg, executive director of the Trainee Lodging Council.
“As a housing alternative that removes demand from the broader rental market and supplies professionally managed and safe living choices for trainees, we need all levels of government to deal with PBSA as an asset-class of top priority,” Lausberg continued.
As a housing alternative that removes need from the more comprehensive rental market and provides professionally managed and safe living alternatives for students, we need all levels of government to treat PBSA as an asset-class of concern
Adele Lausberg, the Student Lodging Council
“This means PBSA ought to be provided the very same exemptions from foreign owner additional charges and land-tax discount rates across the nation. We require an even playing field to make sure the development of this vital asset-class.”
The federal government’s response acknowledges a strong PBSA pipeline, with more than 11,000 beds under building and construction, more than 15,000 approved and more than 12,000 in preparation. Lausberg said this recognition was welcome, but shipment would depend on practical reform.
“PBSA is a tested, specialist real estate item, yet it continues to face preparation hold-ups, irregular treatment across jurisdictions and minimal access to domestic and superannuation capital,” she said.
“If Australia wishes to remain globally competitive in worldwide education, governments should eliminate barriers to PBSA shipment, enhance planning paths and assistance long‑term financial investment.”
In other places, the federal government backed transfer to increase transparency around education representative data, pointing to measures currently enacted laws under the Education Legislation Change (ELA) Act, consisting of the collection of agent commission data to allow greater details sharing with providers, while also committing to additional consultation on enhancing company tracking requirements.
“The federal government needs to be applauded for carrying out the report’s recommendations concerning increased transparency of education agent data for companies,” said Honeywood.
“Although IEAA advocated for keeping some onshore commission in location, the federal government has now implemented an across-the-board onshore commission restriction. However, the sector is already seeing onshore representatives discover methods around this restriction,” he added.
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