A new survey will collect large-scale data on international students’ experiences of workplace exploitation post-COVID and support needs. Several peak bodies – Universities Australia, International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), ISANA, Austrade and English Australia – have committed to support the research, which will launch 8 July.
Migrant Justice Institute (MJI) is a national research and policy organisation dedicated to achieving fair treatment for migrant workers in Australia, including international students. It is led by law professors at UNSW Sydney and University of Technology Sydney.
MJI is calling on stakeholders across the international education sector to email a link to the survey to their students in July/August.
With a large number of international students participating in the survey, MJI will illuminate the varied problems international students encounter at work in Australia today and inform policy reforms and tailored support programs based on the differentiated needs of distinct international student cohorts.
Laurie Berg from MJI said, “Our national surveys drive change. Previous surveys have resulted in world-leading policy reforms and new support services for students.”
Benefits to education providers that disseminate the survey to their students
If more than 150 students at an education provider participate in the survey, MJI will prepare for the provider a confidential summary of findings on its students (and perceptions of its support services). The survey also empowers international students by providing critical information on work rights, new visa protections and referrals to support as they progress through the survey.
Email text, social media tiles, images and other communications materials are available on MJI’s website.
New visa protections for international students
In mid-2024 the federal government will introduce innovative visa reforms to enable international students to address workplace exploitation without jeopardising their student visa or future visa pathways. These include a protection against visa cancellation for students who have exceeded their permitted work hours, and a new short-term visa at the end of the student visa to pursue unpaid wages. MJI designed these reforms in consultation with Minister Giles’ office and the Department of Home Affairs. These world-first visa protections have the potential to genuinely break the cycle of exploitation of international students, if implemented effectively.
Information webinar on the visa reforms and survey
MJI and IEAA will co-host an information webinar on 13 June about these new visa protections and the upcoming survey, explaining how international education professionals can support the survey and access communication collateral.
About the survey:
The survey, launching 8 July, will ask international students and other migrants about their experiences at work and access to assistance for problems. The short survey (15 mins) will be available in English, Mandarin, Nepali and Spanish.
Further information can be obtained here.
