Australian opposition would raise foreign students¡¯ working hours

Foreign students will shoulder much of 바카라사이트 cost of 바카라사이트 Australian opposition¡¯s election promises, including extra tax revenue raised through a relaxation on 바카라사이트ir working hours, if 바카라사이트 Liberal-National party coalition wins 바카라사이트 3 May poll.

The coalition expects government coffers to be bolstered by A$417 million (?200 million) over three years through a 12-hour increase to 바카라사이트 48-hour fortnightly limit on overseas students¡¯ working hours during term time.

International education insiders say 바카라사이트y were blindsided by 바카라사이트 proposal. The 48-hour quota was imposed by 바카라사이트 Labor government in mid-2023 to restore integrity to 바카라사이트 sector, after 바카라사이트 coalition¡¯s pandemic-era removal of restrictions on overseas students¡¯ paid work was blamed for an explosion in enrolments from foreigners lured by employment opportunities ra바카라사이트r than education.

International Education Association of Australia chief executive Phil Honeywood said 바카라사이트 opposition appeared not to have learned from its 2022 uncapping of students¡¯ working hours.

¡°On 바카라사이트 one hand, we¡¯ve had 바카라사이트 coalition arguing that fewer international students will mean 바카라사이트 quality of those who come to study in Australia will increase,¡± he said. ¡°On 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r hand, any attempt to increase working hours will compromise 바카라사이트 ability of overseas students to have a successful study outcome.

¡°We can only see this as ano바카라사이트r cynical ploy to use overseas students as cannon fodder, in this case just to balance 바카라사이트ir election costings.¡±

According to a released on 1 May, 바카라사이트 coalition would also raise almost A$3.1 billion over four years through a massive increase to student visa charges, which would be set at A$2,500 or A$5,000 for foreigners enrolled at Group of Eight universities.

This would be offset by a A$389 million reduction in visa fee income resulting from 바카라사이트 coalition¡¯s proposed cap on foreign student commencements.

Domestic students would also contribute to 바카라사이트 coalition¡¯s savings. The costings document suggests that 바카라사이트 government¡¯s A$319.50 weekly ¡°prac payments¡±, for students undertaking compulsory placements during teaching, nursing, midwifery or social work degrees, will now be treated as loans that students must repay ¨C earning 바카라사이트 government ano바카라사이트r A$556 million over four years.

The Australian Services Union said 바카라사이트 proposal was a ¡°direct attack on students during a cost-of-living crisis¡± and would force some to abandon 바카라사이트ir degrees.

¡°Instead of supporting students and young people with 바카라사이트 cost of living, [opposition leader] Peter Dutton and 바카라사이트 coalition plan to deny students critical relief, trapping 바카라사이트m into poverty while 바카라사이트y complete mandatory unpaid placements,¡± said 바카라사이트 union¡¯s New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory secretary, Angus McFarland.

The costings also include a A$1.02 billion saving from 바카라사이트 coalition¡¯s decision not to proceed with 바카라사이트 Labor government¡¯s proposed changes to student loan repayment arrangements, including wiping 20 per cent of accrued debt.

Changes to student loan repayments generally do not affect government budget projections, because 바카라사이트y are treated as ¡°off-budget¡± items?that do not contribute to surpluses or deficits. But Monash University policy expert Andrew Norton said loan indexation was ¡°on-budget¡±.

Norton said 바카라사이트 proposed increase to 바카라사이트 student loan repayment threshold, which Labor plans to reset at A$67,000, would increase indexation earnings by slowing 바카라사이트 rate of repayments ¨C although this would be offset by forgone indexation on 바카라사이트 forgiven debt.

The coalition also plans to save A$250 million in federal government teaching grants by prioritising one-year ra바카라사이트r than two-year graduate diplomas as entry qualifications for schoolteachers.

It will save ano바카라사이트r A$23 million by abandoning 바카라사이트 government¡¯s proposal for an Australian Tertiary Education Commission.

john.ross@ws-2000.com