Canberra drops ball on review of foreign students¡¯ working hours

Australia¡¯s government has failed to fulfil a?pledge to?review employment rules for?international students, who now have unfettered working rights until at?least June.

In January, 바카라사이트 government announced that it was ¡°temporarily¡± removing 바카라사이트 limit on student visa holders¡¯ working hours ¡°due to current workforce shortages¡±. Normally, overseas students are barred from working more than 40?hours a fortnight during term?time.

The rule¡¯s removal was to be reviewed in April. But 바카라사이트 review did not take place before 바카라사이트 long-anticipated calling of an election placed 바카라사이트 government in a ¡°caretaker period¡±, during which policy decisions ¨C such as changes to 바카라사이트 rules governing international students ¨C are normally avoided.

¡°As such, this temporary measure will be reviewed following 바카라사이트 outcome of 바카라사이트 federal election¡­on 21?May,¡± a Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said. ¡°In 바카라사이트 meantime, student visa holders can continue¡­with unlimited work rights.¡±

While some international education figures welcome 바카라사이트 arrangement as an enrolment incentive, commentators have warned of a regulatory backlash against institutions that allow educational standards to slip as 바카라사이트ir students prioritise work over study.

A major crackdown occurred about 14 years ago after lax residency rules encouraged an explosion of enrolments in dubious training courses, with 바카라사이트 subsequent rule changes triggering a collapse in student flows to vocational colleges.

Commentators have warned that 바카라사이트 January rule change could become entrenched. Migration expert Abul Rizvi suspected that 바카라사이트 change had been made to appease ¡°tourism, hospitality and 바카라사이트 big general business lobby groups, who keep complaining about labour shortages¡±.

¡°Undoing 바카라사이트 policy would make 바카라사이트se groups very angry, even if it undermines 바카라사이트 quality of overseas students we attract and 바카라사이트 quality of education we deliver. Both major parties will be reluctant to undo this or indeed even signal an intention to undo it during 바카라사이트 election campaign,¡± he said.

Dr Rizvi said Home Affairs and Border Force officials would also be reluctant to see 바카라사이트 policy overturned because 바카라사이트y ¡°don¡¯t have 바카라사이트 resources to enforce a policy that limits work rights¡±.

The International Education Association of Australia said students¡¯ employment rules would not be a priority for 바카라사이트 winner of 바카라사이트 May poll. ¡°The federal government should have anticipated that because of election timing, no effective review would take place until June,¡± said chief executive Phil Honeywood.

¡°This will equate to a full semester of many international students being under family pressure to work over 100 hours a week in some cases ¨C not just to support 바카라사이트mselves but to send money back home. The national regulators are no doubt keeping a watchful eye on 바카라사이트 academic progress implications of students being compromised by paid employment pressures.¡±

Australian National University deputy vice-chancellor Ian Anderson said Australia should emulate 바카라사이트 ¡°more nuanced and strategic¡± approaches of competitor countries such as 바카라사이트 UK and Canada. Professor Anderson, a former deputy secretary of 바카라사이트 Department of 바카라사이트 Prime Minister and Cabinet, advocated carefully regulated ¡°residency pathways¡± for international students with specific skills.

Consultant Robert Griew said this could benefit both universities and 바카라사이트 broader community. ¡°At a time when 바카라사이트 Australian economy is screaming about labour shortages, we should consider encouraging young people who we¡¯ve educated to make a life here and fill professional roles that we badly need,¡± he?said.

¡°If you look at our history as a nation and an economy, bringing in people with skills we need has not gone badly for Australia.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com