The Minister for Education has today recognised that some universities have been hit hard by slower visa processing and increased visa cancellations since 107 was implemented in December.  

“We note the Minister’s acknowledgement of the damage done by Ministerial Direction 107,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said. 

“Ministerial Direction 107 has undermined our efforts as a sector to diversify our international student base and is creating significant financial anxiety and pain for universities, particularly those in regional Australia and outer suburban areas. 

“The government should now go further and revoke Ministerial Direction 107 to stem the financial impact it continues to cause and allow universities to operate in a more stable and certain environment that offers equity and diversity of international students among universities.” 

Department of Home Affairs data shows visa grants in higher education are down 23 per cent in the past year – the equivalent of 59,410 university students. 

“The impact of having some 60,000 fewer international students arrive on our shores is significant,” Mr Sheehy said. 

“It represents a $4.3 billion hit to the economy and could cost the university sector alone 14,000 jobs – not to mention the flow-on effect for small businesses which rely heavily on students.”