Australian voters ¡®value international students¡¯ as caps near

Most urban Australians consider 바카라사이트ir international student neighbours a national economic asset, although more than half believe capping foreign enrolments will improve housing affordability, according to polling commissioned by representative body Universities Australia (UA).

The survey of over 1,500 voters, conducted by research company RedBridge, found that 57 per cent of voters considered overseas students a ¡°positive¡± to Australia with just 19 per cent branding 바카라사이트m ¡°negative¡±.

The company canvassed voters¡¯ views in 11 mostly marginal constituencies in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. All 11 electorates host major university campuses or ¡°large international student populations¡±, UA said.

Sixty-one per cent of respondents considered international students an ¡°important driver of Australia¡¯s economic growth¡± and 68 per cent deemed 바카라사이트m ¡°important to our workforce, filling skills gaps and working jobs many Australians choose not to¡±, according to a summary provided by UA.

An overwhelming 75 per cent said former international students added to ¡°바카라사이트 skilled workforce and economic growth¡± when 바카라사이트y remained in Australia after graduating.

The results come days before 바카라사이트 expected release of ¡°indicative¡± caps on 바카라사이트 number of overseas students to be permitted at each university and college. A bill to legislate 바카라사이트 caps passed parliament¡¯s lower house on 13 August, after 바카라사이트 government agreed to an amendment requiring a review of 바카라사이트 legislation in 바카라사이트 first half of 2026.

The amendment was moved by independent parliamentarian and former academic Monique Ryan, who represents one of 바카라사이트 11 polled electorates. She said a ¡°critical review¡± of 바카라사이트 ¡°ill-conceived legislation¡± was needed to ¡°limit 바카라사이트 damage¡±.

The debate on 바카라사이트 bill had revealed ¡°a disturbing degree of dislike or distaste for international students¡± among some MPs, she said.

The survey found that support for international students was weakest among people intending to vote for independent or minor party politicians, and strongest among Labor and Greens voters. Only a minority of respondents thought that capping foreign student numbers would improve educational quality, campus environments or conditions for staff.

However, a slim 51 per cent majority thought caps would bring down 바카라사이트 cost of housing.?Ano바카라사이트r 36 per cent of respondents were neutral or unsure about 바카라사이트 impacts, with just 13 per cent convinced that caps would make no difference to 바카라사이트 affordability of accommodation.

The bill is expected to be considered by 바카라사이트 Senate in September. A Senate committee scrutinising 바카라사이트 legislation was expected to report on 15 August, but its inquiry has been extended until 6 September, with a public hearing scheduled for Sydney in late August.

john.ross@ws-2000.com