INTRODUCTION
Australia has built an enviable reputation over six decades as a destination of choice for some of the brightest international students from around the world. Our success sees Australia poised to overtake the United Kingdom next year to become the second most popular destination for international students worldwide. These students bringing over $32 billion each year into Australia’s economy, supporting Australian jobs and wages.
Australia’s continued success in attracting international students and their economic contribution to our country has been in part due to the strong commitment by Government to nurturing this sector with careful and well-considered policy settings.
It is in all of our interests to ensure Australia remains their destination of choice. We wish to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure Australia’s visa system continues to attract these talented students. Universities Australia welcomes any discussion on how to promote and develop opportunities for all students to engage with non-metropolitan institutions.
Years of knowledge and experience about what helps to attract international students to Australia confirms that any bid to limit international students’ options for enrolment would carry inherent risk. Our universities across the country all value the opportunity to recruit international students, and caution is advised in implementing measures which have the potential to negatively impact on Australia’s international education system.
The overarching principle in this exercise should be to do no harm.
