Proposed legislation on international student intake could result in a $4.3 billion hit to the economy and cost the university sector over 14,000 jobs.
The Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to cap the number of international student enrolments for two years from 2025.
Universities Australia chief executive Luke Sheehy told a Senate inquiry the policy could lead to 14,000 job cuts across the industry.Sheehy described the bill as a "political smokescreen" to gain an upper hand in a "poll-driven battle over migration". "The impact of having some 60,000 fewer international students arrive on our shores is significant," Sheehy said.
"It would represent a $4.3 billion hit to the economy and could cost the university sector alone over 14,000 jobs – not to mention the flow-on effect for small businesses which rely heavily on international students."The figure includes international student spending on tuition, housing and living costs as well as other expenditure."No other major export industry is treated the way international education is right now," he said.
Last year the government unveiled its new migration strategy, introducing tougher visa restrictions, stronger English literacy tests and a crackdown on agencies that bring international students to Australia.
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