Policy, Priorities and the Path Ahead: 10 Takeaways from The PIE Live Asia Pacific’s International Education Update

Last week’s “Policy update: the next steps for Australia” session at The PIE Live Asia Pacific conference on the Gold Coast provided a candid look into the future of Australia’s international education sector. Listening to key leaders on stage and via a video address from Assistant Minister for International Education, Julian Hill, I have recorded a number of crucial takeaways regarding the policy landscape ahead. I was particularly interested to hear if the ‘policy update’ did in fact tell us anything new:

1. Political Stability is a Relief, Not a Panacea There appears to be a palpable sense of relief in the sector having an Assistant Minister in Julian Hill who, as the International Education Association of Australia’s (IEAA) Phil Honeywood put it, is a “champion of an education” with direct industry experience. This continuity, with Jason Clare also remaining as Minister for Education, is seen as the “least worst outcome.” It avoids the steep learning curve of new ministers and provides a foundation of understanding. However, this stability exists within a tense political dynamic, with pro-education voices needing to advocate strongly against more security-focused agendas within government.
2. “Sustainable Growth” is the New Mantra The era of growth at all costs is definitively over. Assistant Minister Hill’s message was clear: the government is focused on “sensibly managing the size and the shape of the onshore student market.” This isn’t just about capping numbers but about ensuring quality, integrity, and a positive student experience. The focus will be on genuine students and quality providers, with a “ruthless focus” on weeding out those who abuse the system. Numbers are apparently trending towards sustainable levels, but the composition and distribution of students remain key policy levers.
3. Diversification is Now a National Priority The government is actively looking to de-concentrate the international student population from the major eastern cities. Assistant Minister Hill explicitly prioritised encouraging study in regional areas and improving access for students from our closest partners, particularly in Southeast Asia. This aligns with broader geopolitical and economic strategies, signalling that future policy will likely include incentives or mechanisms to drive this diversification.
4. The Housing Crisis is an Education Crisis For the first time, a senior government minister has explicitly linked future growth in international education to the availability of new housing. Is this not a significant policy shift? The government recognises that social license for the sector is intrinsically tied to its impact on domestic issues like housing affordability and availability. We can expect future provider approvals or growth corridors to be scrutinised through a housing lens.
5. The Battle for a “Fair Share” Continues Phil Honeywood’s comments underscored the ongoing tension within the sector. While universities are a cornerstone, he stressed the need to ensure that policy doesn’t “kill off the crucial standalone English language sector” or disadvantage private and vocational providers. As Felix Pirie of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) began to articulate, these providers have felt the acute pain of visa processing challenges, and they are fighting to ensure policy changes don’t disproportionately harm them. The debate is not just with the government, but within the industry itself.
6. Quality Providers Welcome the Integrity Push While acknowledging the recent difficulties, the sentiment from independent providers is that the integrity crackdown is a necessary evil. Completing the thought he began on stage, Felix Pirie, of ITECA, underscored this by stating, “Our members have been feeling the pain of processing delays, but we understand the integrity imperative. Quality independent providers are the government’s partners in this, not adversaries. A system that roots out non-genuine actors ultimately protects the reputation and investment of every legitimate student and institution in this country.”
7. Universities are the Bedrock of the Entire Ecosystem Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, made a crucial point about the foundational role of universities. He argued that policy must look beyond simple enrolment numbers. “While we navigate the path to sustainable numbers, it’s critical to remember that international students are integral to the very fabric of our universities,” Sheehy noted. “They fund world-class research and subsidise places for domestic students, ensuring our institutions remain globally competitive and serve their communities. It’s an ecosystem, and policy must reflect that interconnectedness.”
8. State Governments are Focused on the On-the-Ground Experience The federal government may set immigration policy, but the states are at the coalface of the student experience. Simone Fuller, Executive Director International for Queensland’s Department of Education, highlighted this state-level responsibility. “From a state perspective, our focus is laser-sharp on the entire student journey,” she explained. “A quality education is paramount, but it must be matched by a safe, welcoming community and access to quality accommodation and support services. Queensland’s reputation depends on us delivering that exceptional experience.”
9. Australia’s Challenges are Not Unique Putting the local situation into perspective, host Amy Baker, CEO of The PIE, drew parallels with other major study destinations. “It’s important to see these policy shifts in a global context,” Baker observed. “What we heard today echoes conversations happening in Canada and the UK. Every major destination market is grappling with the nexus of immigration, housing, and public sentiment. The key question for Australia is whether it can navigate these challenges in a way that provides clarity and stability, something that both students and global partners are desperately seeking right now.”
10. The Link to National Skills Needs Will Become More Formal Finally, a recurring theme was the connection between international education and Australia’s workforce. The Assistant Minister mentioned it, and it was implicit in the discussion of value. The key takeaway is that this link will likely become a more formal policy driver. We should anticipate future frameworks that more explicitly channel students into courses aligned with the national skills agenda, moving it from a passive benefit to a primary objective of the international education program.