Tourism Council WA's recent Tourism Survey revealed 72 per cent of Western Australians agreed that international students were critical to the Western Australian economy.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed the economy was experiencing a downturn, and Western Australia needed to diversify its economy and create jobs through tourism and international education.
"Both the Federal Government and the Federal Opposition policies capping migration are in fact capping visitors. Any cap on international visitors, particularly students and backpackers, will cost jobs in the Western Australian economy," Mr Hall said.
"Every international student drives another seven flights through Perth Airport as they attract their family and friends to visit them in WA - a cap on international students also creates a cap on related tourists."
StudyPerth CEO Derryn Belford said students paying fees created jobs in the education sector.
"Students are also a critical workforce for the hospitality and aged care sectors here in WA," Ms Belford said.
"Students come to WA for a quality education or training experience, with around 80 per cent returning home after graduation. But they add to our community both culturally and economically while they are here."
The Tourism Survey is an online survey of 800 Western Australian respondents conducted by Tourism Council WA between September 2 and 4.
