International education found itself firmly in the national spotlight this week, with IEAA chief executive Phil Honeywood appearing on The Issue on 7 News Australia to address growing criticism of international students and Australia’s student visa settings.
In a wide-ranging discussion, Honeywood used the primetime platform to challenge what he described as a distorted public narrative linking international students to broader migration pressures, including housing shortages and population growth. The interview comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity around migration, with international education increasingly drawn into debates well beyond the sector’s control.
Speaking with The Issue host Josh Martin, Honeywood acknowledged community concerns but argued that international students have been unfairly cast as convenient targets in a complex policy discussion. He warned that sustained negative messaging risks damaging one of Australia’s most valuable export industries and eroding the country’s long-standing reputation as a welcoming study destination.
Here are three highlights from the discussion the Koala thinks are important:
Highlight one: Reframing the economic contribution
A key focus of the interview was the scale and importance of international education to the Australian economy. Honeywood reiterated that international education remains a leading export industry, particularly in Victoria and South Australia, and continues to rank among the top contributors in New South Wales and Queensland.
He highlighted that the sector’s value extends well beyond tuition fees. According to Honeywood, international students support local employment, regional communities, research capacity and Australia’s global engagement — benefits that are often overlooked when the conversation is reduced to migration numbers.
Crucially, Honeywood sought to correct a common misconception aired in political debate: that international students primarily come to Australia as a pathway to permanent migration. He stressed that the majority of students return home after completing their studies, taking Australian qualifications, and long-term diplomatic and commercial ties, with them.
Highlight two: A more assertive sector voice
Honeywood also indicated that work is underway across the sector to improve how the contribution of international education is communicated to the broader community. He suggested that, in a complex public debate increasingly shaped by migration and cost-of-living pressures, there is a need to ensure stakeholders and the wider public are presented with clear, factual information about the sector’s role and value.
Any future activity, still at an early stage of development, is expected to focus on providing greater context around student outcomes, regional engagement and economic contribution, while addressing misconceptions that have emerged in public discussion about the drivers of issues such as housing and infrastructure demand.
For Koala readers, the move signals a shift towards a more outward-facing and confident advocacy approach, as sector leaders seek to reclaim the narrative rather than respond reactively to criticism.
Highlight three: Policy uncertainty and competitiveness risks
While the interview was primarily focused on public perception, Honeywood also used the opportunity to flag concerns about policy settings affecting Australia’s global competitiveness.
He referenced recent changes such as sharply increased student visa application fees and shifting migration signals, warning that Australia risks pricing itself out of key markets. With competitor destinations actively courting international students through more stable and predictable visa frameworks, Honeywood argued that policy volatility sends the wrong message at a time when global competition for students is intensifying.
Although he stopped short of directly criticising the government, his comments reflected broader sector unease about the cumulative impact of rapid policy changes on recruitment pipelines, institutional planning and student confidence.
Honeywood’s appearance on The Issue marks a rare moment where international education concerns were aired on a mainstream national news platform. For a sector often discussed rather than consulted, the interview offered a timely reminder that international education is not just a migration adjunct, but a complex, globally competitive industry with deep economic and social significance for Australia.
As public and political scrutiny continues, the interview suggests the sector is preparing to engage more directly, and more publicly, in shaping how international education is understood beyond its own community.
The Koala says, “Bravo”.
The interview can be seen below.
Photo acknowledgement: 7 News via Youtube.
