Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is warning the Coalition's proposed plan to reduce the number of new international students in higher education and vocational education and training, could have a negative impact on business, the economy and education sector.
The Coalition has announced, if elected, it will cut international student visas by 80,000, increase student visa application fees by up to $5,000 and introduce a new student charge of $2,500 for changing education providers.
CA ANZ Education, Skills and Migration Policy Leader Sarah Davidson said while CA ANZ supports strengthening the sustainability, quality and integrity of Australia's international education sector, there are concerns that the planned cap on student numbers will increase pressure on the graduate pipeline, exacerbate the accountant shortage, and have negative flow on effects.
"The international education sector plays an important role in developing global accounting talent, but caps like this risk damaging Australia's global reputation," Ms Davidson said.
"We made these same points to Labor last year as part of consultations on the Draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework which proposed caps on international student enrolments.
"Any reform to the migration system should focus on skills and qualifications, not quantity – we don't want to deter high-quality international students."
