Labor is facing pressure to reverse policies that make it easier for 'lower quality' foreign university students to stay in the country and work, as a surge in student numbers raises concerns. The number of foreign student visas reached a record high last year, while international student numbers are at unprecedented levels. Experts argue that changes to policy settings are necessary due to the ongoing rental crisis.
Labor is under backbench pressure reverse policies that make it easier for “lower quality” foreign university students to stay in the country and to work, as a dramatic and unexpected spike in student numbers alarms policymakers.
Immigration expert Abul Rizvi said historically high student numbers have caused a headache for the government as it tried to balance community fears about rising migration, and business demands for labour in a still hot jobs market. Insiders said key figures, including home affairs minister Clare O’Neil, education minister Jason Clare and immigration minister Andrew Giles are grappling with how to slow unprecedented demand and shift the focus to quality students over quantity, while cracking down on rogue students, agents and colleges.
The dramatic, and unexpected, return of international students over the past year has taken the entire university sector by surprise.with the specific aim of moving into permanent residency status. “This was even in a year when very large numbers of temporary graduates secured permanent migration – and even before the more generous provisions were introduced.”Nearly, 13,000 former students moved onto a permanent migration visa in 2022-23, up from 9500 the previous year and just 2760 in 2017-18.
Labor Foreign University Students Policies Surge Student Numbers Rental Crisis International Students
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