The report warned that international student fees also prop up funding for vital research and make up half of all externally sourced investment. One-third of international students in Australia choose to study in Victoria.
Loading
Limiting their enrolments risked the state economy, vital research and the standing of Victorian universities in Australia’s region, Monash University’s deputy vice-chancellor Professor Craig Jeffrey said.
“Capping international students will deprive the sector of revenue and thereby undermine life-saving medical research. We depend on a flow of brilliant international students for this vital research to be funded and delivered,” Jeffrey said.
But federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the reforms will help set the sector up for the future, ensuring quality, integrity and providing certainty for universities.
“We are consulting leaders from the international education sector to make sure we get the design and implementation of these critical reforms right, with implementation to begin from January 1, 2025,” he said.
Clare added once the legislation passed the aim was to set limits for every university, higher education and vocation provider that teaches an international student.
Education Minister Jason Clare.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce argues the strength and success of the state’s universities shouldn’t be underestimated – and that the impact of reducing international student numbers would impact their viability.
“Businesses rely on the ability to employ international students for employment across many sectors including hospitality and retail. In addition, international students drive inbound tourism,” the body’s chief Paul Guerra said.
Some of the world’s top universities were in Melbourne, and it was a huge competitive advantage for the state, he explained. “My hope is that the federal government reconsiders international student caps to avoid squandering these advantages.”
Loading
Earlier this month, the Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black said the government’s cap on foreign students could cripple Australia’s higher education sector and deliver a lasting blow to the economy.
“We are concerned the government is about to make the wrong short-term decision by cutting international students, which will have a lasting long-term negative hit to the economy, impacting all Australians,” said Black, who leads the lobby group representing the nation’s major companies.
Victoria’s state opposition said international education was Victoria’s biggest services export and generated $14.8 billion in revenue last year.
“By taking the axe to international education, the federal Labor government will cause long-term damage to Victoria’s economy, drastically slashing revenue and jobs,” state Liberal tertiary education spokeswoman Bridget Vallance said.
The Victorian government has been contacted for comment.
Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter here.