Today, the Minister sat down with the Council for International Education to discuss recent visa changes and the situation that has been occurring. This sees offshore students and agents guessing about visa approvals and institutions becoming increasingly anxious about their standing in the streamlined Student Visa framework.
A brief recap
The government has been busy overhauling migration settings, with students being caught up in an attempt to reduce the overall numbers of the migration program. The minister tweeted (or it X’d?) as recently as February 10, saying in response to a story by David Crowe of the Sydney Morning Herald, “Our plan to get migration back down to sustainable levels is working. This is led by changes that are reducing exploitation and rorting in higher education”. (See TKN 12/2/24).
This spooked many in the sector who believe there is no rorting of the Immigration system – it isn’t possible, and the attempt to smear the issue wasn’t a good move by the Minister. Petitions were sent to the Minister from (a) sixteen (16) Vice Chancellors stating modelling indicates they will be AUD $310m worse off (see TKN 14/2/24) and (b) the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI), making the point it is the students who are suffering due to long waits and inconsistent visa outcomes. (See TKN 17/2/24)
The Minister sat down with the sixteen VC’s last week and made time to discuss the issues with the Council for International Education earlier today.
The Council for International Education meeting
Members of the of the Council for International Education The Koala approached for comment have remained tight lipped.
It is understood by the Koala that the first Council for International Education meeting for 2024 was held online. Minister Claire O’Neil listened to feedback about some of the well-publicised issues the sector representatives brought to her attention.
The minister took a number of the issues raised onboard and will come back to the sector if required.
Watch this space.
About the Council for International Education
The Council for International Education was established in 2016 to set the direction for Australia’s role in international education and training. The Council supports the implementation of the Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030.
Council membership consists of:
- Experienced international education experts and practitioners
- Australian Government Ministers with portfolio responsibilities in international education
Ministerial members
- The Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education (Chair)
- Senator the Hon Don Farrell MP, Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State
- The Hon Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security
- The Hon Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
- The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Skills and Training
- The Hon Tim Watts MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
Expert members
- Mr Julian Hill MP – Member for Bruce (Co-Convener)
- The Hon Phil Honeywood – CEO, International Education Association of Australia (Co-Convener)
- Professor Michael Wesley – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), The University of Melbourne
- Mr Mel Koumides – CEO, Academia International Institute
- Mr Derek Scott – Principal and CEO, Haileybury
- Ms Catriona Jackson – CEO, Universities Australia
- Professor Linda Taylor – Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Western Sydney University
- Ms Anouk Darling – CEO, Scape
- Ms Denise O’Brien – General Manager, TAFE Queensland
- Ms Jane Johnston – Chief Executive, Study Adelaide
- Ms Yeganeh Soltanpour, National President, CISA
Further information on the council, including their communiques, can be found here.
