July 28, 2024
The Group of Eight (Go8) comprising Australia's leading research-intensive universities will work with the new Albanese Ministry to ensure Australia's higher education and research sector is in the strongest possible position to contribute to the nation's future prosperity.
The Go8 will seek an urgent meeting with incoming Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke to discuss the significant national economic damage that will be caused by the Government's current policy approach to the international education sector.
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said the reshuffle provided an opportunity for government to review and refine its migration strategy to address any unintended consequences for Australia's $48 billion international education industry.
"The Go8 is committed to working with the Government to provide a stable and well-managed international education sector underwritten by quality and integrity.
"We are however extremely concerned about the current policy approach to the international education sector. For example, the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 before Parliament that seeks to introduce ministerially mandated caps for international students will have devastating consequences for Australia's $48 billion international education sector that will take years to recover from.
"Imposing caps on international student enrolments will have long lasting, damaging consequences for our economy, our capacity to attract the highest-quality students, our skilled workforce and Australia's international reputation.
"The Government is making a critical mistake by using international students as a scapegoat to manage a short-term spike in migration and ease housing pressure. Australia needs high quality, high achieving graduates who will contribute to our economic and social prosperity."
Ms Thomson said the Go8 would work closely with incoming Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles to ensure universities continued to play an integral role in the upskilling of the Australian workforce.
"Our research-intensive universities are key to delivering the pipeline of highly skilled workers Australia needs to remain prosperous and internationally competitive."
"Outgoing Minister Brendan O'Connor recognised this through Jobs and Skills Australia, and we congratulate him on his collaborative approach and commitment to ensuring Australia's labour market is fit for purpose now and in the long term."
