Schools are winding down and many of my international education colleagues who work in schools are already powered down and taking a well-deserved break. With the Koala News all over the new Ministerial Directive announced yesterday, when schools with CRICOS recharge and plug back in, what does the Ministerial Direction 111 mean to them?
All international education has been shrouded in uncertainty. While the school sector has not been given visa caps, (my apologies) ‘indicative allocations,’ the situation for all international students has greatly impacted schools.
The good
The good news for schools is that the rejection of MD 107 means that guardian visas are back on the table. This is a positive for schools as many students like to come with a parent or guardian to care for them. Junior school students who come on visas are often required by their schools to come with a guardian, as schools are hesitant to arrange homestay or welfare arrangements for ones so young.
Another positive is that, as before, schools will not be subject to caps or “indicative allocations” for offshore applications. Schools can recruit numbers much as they always have. This is because for schools, international student numbers are much lower than other sectors. This has, with good reason, left them off the radar of the DHA.
Yet another plus for the sector is, that under MD 111, schools are also considered to be priority 1 for higher visa processing for offshore students. While the definition of what this means is vague, at least schools are in this favoured group.
The bad
Uncertainty for international students post ATAR achievement abounds. Most students come to Australia with the ultimate goal of staying for higher education. With all the changes and crackdowns, families do not feel certain that there will be a space for their child in Australian universities when they achieve their high school credentials.
Likely, universities will be keen to accept these international graduates as they are already onshore and not part of the higher education indicative allocations. However, the slow visa processing onshore means that students are left uncertain if the government will welcome them to stay whey get there.
As reported by Tracy Harris in November in TKN from the Senate Estimates hearing, students can sit on bridging visas for extended periods of time. The government needs to be more focused on clearing its backlog of onshore visa applicants. Younger students and their families are less likely to find comfort in this than adult and older students.
The uncertain
MD111 fails to address the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the transition to tertiary education for international students currently in the school sector, as well as their families, who have already made significant personal and financial investments to study in Australia.
While the school sector remains exempt from the immediate impacts of the new Ministerial Direction 111, but it is certainly affected by the broader implications. According to Michael Bos, the Director of International for Moreton Bay Colleges, ‘Once international school students complete Year 12, their pathways to desired universities are no longer guaranteed. This creates a ripple effect, pressuring schools to negotiate university places on behalf of students.’
The government and tertiary education sector continue to overlook the fact that international graduates from the school sector are generally better prepared for tertiary studies in Australia. They often possess higher levels of English proficiency, stronger social integration, and a better understanding of Australian educational practices.
With a heavy pendulum swing by the government, young international students are not sure whether they are welcome in Australia. Perception is everything, and as agents and families look at where to study, they see that the Australian gateway has high tolls and seems to have trolls guarding the entryway. The entry is not blocked, but the welcome mat is also not out.
Schools are looking for better collaboration and communication between governments and the sector for recognition of what they do and the valid and important pathways they provide.
