Universities are losing out on overseas students.
Australian immigration policy is starting to have an effect on students, with fewer students now choosing Australia as a place to study.
The chief executive of the Australian Council of Private Education, Andrew Smith, told The Australian newspaper that recent uncertainty and confusion over Australian visa legislation changes were resulting in a shift towards New Zealand and Canada for many overseas students.
“Uncertainty and ongoing change in Australian policy, exacerbated by further delays in the release of the skilled occupation list, have left many students confused.” He commented. Mr Smith even went so far as to say that education agents were now wary of recommending vocational education in Australia, referring students instead to New Zealand and Canada.
The new Skilled Occupations List that was delayed last month, is being awaited anxiously by Universities fearful that the government’s desire to separate migration from education could damage their overseas intake which generates billions of dollars every year. As almost one third of overseas students in Australia consider permanent migration upon graduation, recent legislation changes could spell bad news for Universities that rely on vocational courses.
Meanwhile many University students promised permanent migration by education agents, will be waiting anxiously to see if the course they have chosen will turn up on the SOL or if their fees – sometimes thousands of dollars – will have been wasted on a course that stands little chance of gaining the student their visa approval status.
Depending on what turns up on the SOL, Australia could see a mass exodus of students deserting their courses to seek their futures elsewhere.
Businesses are also anxious to see the SOL. Many big businesses employ skilled graduates and a lack of graduates mean a lack of employable workers. Almost 500 IT graduates were employed in 2009 as well as 700 other graduates in the resources sector. Some of Australia’s biggest businesses have warned the Australian Department of Immigration against hindering the skilled migration flow into Australia. Peter Anderson from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned: “Neither population nor migration policy lend themselves to targets.”
The DIAC have promised that the SOL will be viewable this month, but as visa applicants are finding out to their cost, what the DIAC says and what it actually does can be very different. Meanwhile overseas students and potential migrants are confused and bewildered by recent changes and many are turning elsewhere.
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2 Responses to “Australian Universities Warn of Overseas Student Exodus”
Comment by Tony — May 12, 2010 @ 11:11 pm
This is actually the best news I have heard in the last couple of months. It’s time to teach the government and the higher education industry a concrete lesson. It’s time to understand that it’s not only about their elections. It is about human beings (I hope this is what they think of us at least) and NOT numbers.
It is only logical to see this drop in the number of continuing students and an even greater drop in starting students numbers. Every government in the world has the right to determine who can access its borders. However, subjecting current international students to the new legislative requirements constitutes an act of deceit and deceptive conduct.
DIAC used to come every semester on campus and advertise for the permanent residency pathway after completing one’s studies.
I believe the new change should only apply to NEW international students. You just can’t tell people ‘BAD LUCK’ after all the hard work and more than $100,000 spent in fees in living expenses. Add to this, the emotional costs associated with having already found a job, a partner and lots and lost of friends.
Finally, I just can’t stand the idea that people arriving on boast receive a better treatment more than an international students in this country. It would have probably been better if we hopped on one instead.
Comment by Max — May 14, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
I’m a former student of Univ. Queensland and ACU Brisbane. I am trying to find a pathway to move my wife and kids to Australia. I am willing to go back to school for a masters, open a business, or retrain for a different career in order to meet the needs of DIAC. I almost meet the visa requirements for skilled, business, or investor visa (but I’m just shy on all 3). I think the requirements are a bit silly when a former resident, with a BA from a prestigious University, who has significant funds to settle can’t migrate. Yet if I were a cook or hairdresser who didn’t make it out of high school I’d be welcomed with open arms. I feel that I could easily retrain for a new career. Unfortunately, the points for occupation is so volatile I am fearful of risking $20k-$50k for a lower paying career just to have the rules change in 6 months. I love Australia and Australians, I’d love to raise my kids there, I can support my family and make a positive contribution to society. However, time is slipping away and it won’t be a viable option once my kids are a bit older. Fingers Crossed.