The federal Opposition, led by Peter Dutton, has announced new plans to reduce the number of international students coming to Australia each year.
If the Coalition wins the next election, they plan to limit the number of new international student visas to 240,000 per year. This is 80,000 fewer than the current levels, 30,000 less than Labor proposed in last year’s cap enrolment legislation, which did not go ahead.
Dutton says this policy is aimed at easing Australia’s housing crisis by lowering migration numbers, despite recent reports that international students are not to blame for the crisis. According to the plan, public universities would only be allowed to accept 115,000 new international students each year, while private colleges and non-university providers (such as Vocational Education and Training providers) could take up to 125,000.
Visa fees to increase
As part of this proposal, the Coalition also plans to raise visa application fees. Students applying to Group of Eight universities (such as the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne) would pay $5,000 to apply for a visa, while all other international students would pay $2,500.
In addition, students who want to change education providers during their studies would have to pay a new fee of $2,500.
Why is this happening?
Dutton says the changes are necessary because the large number of international students is making it harder for Australians to find housing, despite new reports saying international students are not to blame for Australia’s housing crisis. He believes reducing migration, including student migration, will help fix the housing shortage and make rent more affordable.
What are others saying?
The plan has been strongly criticised by universities and other groups. Chief executive of Universities Australia, Luke Sheehy, said the policy would hurt the economy and damage Australia’s reputation as a destination for education, while disputing the housing crisis claims by the Coalition.
“Students make up less than 6 per cent of the national rental market. The real solution is more homes, not fewer students,” he said. “We urge all parties to base policy on facts, not finger-pointing.”
The Greens also spoke out against the plan. They accused the Coalition of blaming migrants and international students for the housing crisis instead of fixing the real causes, like lack of investment in affordable housing.
“Dutton’s plan to slash student numbers and triple visa fees is a cynical ploy to stoke fear and division in the lead-up to an election,” deputy Greens leader and spokesperson for higher education Mehreen Faruqi said.
“The facts are clear, we’ve seen the evidence: international students are not the cause of skyrocketing rents or unaffordable housing. That responsibility lies squarely with successive governments who have refused to build enough public housing and prioritised lining the pockets of wealthy property investors.”
According to The Guardian, experts in higher education are worried the policy is more about politics than real solutions. Some said Peter Dutton is copying strategies from the US to use migration as a way to win votes.
What happens next?
These changes are not yet law. They are part of the Coalition’s election campaign promises. The next federal election will be held on May 3, and if the Coalition wins, they say these changes will happen quickly.
Until then, international students should stay informed and speak with their education provider or a migration advisor if they have questions about how future policies might affect them.
