Slash Work Rights, See International Student Numbers Plummet!

Key Highlights:

• Policy changes, such as relaxed work hour restrictions and extended stay options, have attracted a huge number of South Asian students to Australia
• As per the Navitas survey, 69% of current students were doing paid work while studying, but only 23% had jobs related to their studies.

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South Asian students have significantly contributed to Australia’s recent surge in net overseas migration. This increase was largely facilitated by the relaxation of international student work-hour restrictions and extended stay options for VET graduates under the former Coalition Government. These changes led to a notable rise in South Asian students seeking work and residency opportunities in Australia, highlights recent Australia work news. 

In response, the Albanese government increased the permanent migrant intake to record levels, enhancing the prospects of permanent residency for students. Labour also extended the number of hours international students in Australia can work while studying and post-study work rights for university graduates. Additionally, migration accords with India were negotiated, granting Indian students five-year student visas and eight-year post-study work visas. 

Despite these positive outcomes, there has been an unintended consequence of attracting a significant number of non-authentic students, facilitated by dubious education agents and scam ‘ghost colleges.’ A recent Navitas poll highlighted that students from South Asia and Africa prioritise study locations based on their ability to obtain work rights, affordable courses, and permanent residency opportunities. They are less concerned about educational quality. This sentiment is in contrast to students from China and Europe, who prioritise educational quality over work opportunities. 

As per the Australia work news, the recent decision by the Albanese government to reverse the extension of post-study work rights for international university graduates by two years has caused frustration among students. Many are unaware of these policy changes before arriving in Australia. These international students in Australia indicated they would have chosen a different destination had they known. 

According to a survey of more than 400 current and prospective students, over one in four prospective students claimed that the policy change had influenced their decision about studying in Australia. The survey also revealed that nearly seven in ten international students work while studying. However, due to restrictions, most are employed in fields unrelated to their studies. 

A study by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) highlighted that recent migrants earn significantly less than Australian-born workers. They are more likely to work in lower-productivity firms, earning over 10% less on average. The report also indicated higher unemployment rates among recent skilled migrants compared to Australian-born workers.

The article argues for a shift in policy focus toward attracting a smaller pool of exceptional students. This they intend to do by raising financial barriers, increasing entrance requirements (especially English language proficiency), improving pedagogical standards, abolishing group assignments, and disconnecting studying, working, and permanent residency pathways. These reforms aim to enhance student quality, increase export income per student, improve wages and working conditions, and reduce population pressures, ultimately prioritising quality over quantity in international education in Australia. 

In conclusion, Australia’s international education sector has experienced significant growth, largely by South Asian students seeking work and residency opportunities. For more updates on news and developments in Australia and beyond, follow amber news.