International students are turning away from Australia.
The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) have released a statement today saying that changes in immigration policy has halted growth in the international education sector.
ACPET claim that unless action is taken, not only will the international education sector stop growing, but it may even fall into decline, with a loss of billions to the Australian economy.
Previously the international student sector has grown steadily every year at around 12%, but ACPET say that changes made by the DIAC have had such a huge impact on international students choosing Australia as a destination that the industry may even start going backwards by 5% as early as next year.
The CEO of ACPET, Andrew Smith, accuses both political parties of failing to support the ailing industry which will, he claims, have disastrous consequences for the economy of the country.
“The Federal Government has crippled this industry over the past 12 months. The opposition’s cuts to migration would make things even worse. When will our leaders wake up and realise just how much is at stake in this industry?”
“International education is a great industry for Australia and the region – economically, socially and diplomatically.”
He sends out a message for both Julia Gillard, the Prime Minister of Australia and her opposition, Tony Abbott, to show support for what is Australia’s third largest export industry. He claims that growth in the international education industry could be supported by sustainable policies.
There are just two weeks to go before the general election and at the moment it looks like both parties are fairly even, with Tony Abbott gaining a slight lead in the popularity polls. But that could all change come polling day.
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