The Koala sat down with the CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, Phil Honeywood, following the meeting with the Ministers yesterday.
Here’s the update:
Caps
It was agreed that the implementation date for caps would not happen until after 1 January 2025
That it is intended to be on a provider-by-provider level, with “extensive consultations” and negotiations that will take into account skills in demand course profiles, regional delivery and additional on-campus housing. It was stressed to the Ministers this last point would be a much longer game.
It is anticipated that an exemption from caps will be applied to the schools sector and HDR students.
ESOS Amendment bill
The ESOS Amendment Bill will be introduced this week and provide the Minister for Education with significantly enhanced and unprecedented powers to intervene with provider course registrations. There is a risk of regulator power overlap here.
The Bill will also include cross-ownership and onshore commission bans. Minister Clare explained that its provisions may not be in effect until September after it passes the Senate. The risk here is that other parties may demand harsher measures if the politics of the day demand it.
Role of the Council
The Council for International Education is expected to have a key role in coordinating many of the above elements and ensuring that providers are properly consulted.
COVID Visa Holders
It was suggested that there were other options open to Government to reduce the headline international student numbers e.g reduce ability of Covid Recovery Visa holders (current ~100k) to go onto another student visa.
Visa Fees
Given all of the changes impacting on our sector, it is anticipated that today’s Budget will not, after all, contain any increase in student visa fees. However, these are likely to go up significantly at a later date.
