The International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) has announced the impending rollout of the ‘Help Australia Thrive!’ campaign. This is a timely reminder that the International Education sector in Australia should be important to us all.
In 2019, the sector delivered over $40 billion to the Australian economy and supported over 240,000 Australian jobs. Enrolment figures for 2023 show a strong post-COVID recovery. “International education isn’t a commodity. It supports communities and nurtures knowledge. International students pay their tuition, earn their qualifications and underpin outstanding research. They also help put food on our tables, care for our loved ones, and teach us how to dance. International students help Australia thrive,” says Hon. Phil Honeywood, CEO of IEAA.
International education is Australia’s fourth-highest export generating industry, and the largest that doesn’t rely on mining natural resources.
These facts are important and often the only ones referred to by mainstream media and politicians, but it is transactional and it is measured in dollars. What’s often missing from the conversation are stories of students, where they come from, their goals, aspirations and contributions to Australian society.
This campaign aims to put these front and centre. It introduces the stories of three international students – Jerry from Jakarta, Ralph from Dubai, and Patti from Bangkok.
Jerry organised students to help pick fruit left in the orchards due to labour shortages. Ralph works in aged care to improve the quality of life for our senior Australians. Patti works as a mental health counsellor and connects with her local community by teaching dance classes.
Every student, whether coming to study or leaving to learn from the world, helps Australia Thrive and that’s the message this campaign seeks to convey.
Timing is everything
The IEAA is smart in rolling this out now.
Two reviews are currently getting to the pointy end of the decision-making process. Firstly, the inquiry into the International Education and Tourism sectors by the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and secondly, the Review of the Migration system.
It’s a timely reminder to decision-makers that international education supports the economy and students make valuable contributions to our society.
The campaign can be seen on the IEAA’s website and will run on social media from June to September 2023.
