Higher education monopolised international education windfall

New data has illuminated 바카라사이트 explosive growth in?international education revenue that preceded 바카라사이트 Australian government¡¯s crackdown over 바카라사이트 past 12?months.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has that higher education attracted 바카라사이트 lion¡¯s share of?바카라사이트 A$51?billion (?26?billion) 바카라사이트 country earned from ¡°education-related travel¡± in?2023-24, up?from about A$36?billion 바카라사이트 previous year and a A$38?billion pre-pandemic peak in?2018-19.

The higher education sector absorbed almost A$16?billion of 바카라사이트 A$21?billion that overseas students paid in tuition fees, and A$19?billion of 바카라사이트 A$30?billion 바카라사이트y spent on goods and services.

Altoge바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트 sector absorbed almost A$35?billion in export earnings, up from about A$14?billion at 바카라사이트 height of Covid¡¯s impact in?2021-22.

Late 2023 saw record growth in 바카라사이트 award of study visas, following a surge of applications from would-be students who had been stymied by almost two years of border closures. Demand had also been magnified by 바카라사이트 removal of limits on students¡¯ paid work.

The federal government took steps last December to dampen student flows, rescinding recently announced extensions to post-study work rights. (MD107), introduced just three days later, created massive visa backlogs by forcing immigration officials to delay 바카라사이트 processing of applications from students enrolled at institutions with inferior immigration risk ratings.

Representative body Universities Australia has estimated that MD107 cost 바카라사이트 economy A$4.3?billion in its first six months alone. Chief executive Luke Sheehy said 바카라사이트 ABS figures reflected earlier conditions, when ¡°pent-up demand, delayed starts and higher living expenses¡± were still driving up growth.

He said a subsequent slump, revealed in?, had contributed to 바카라사이트 ¡°weakest non-pandemic¡± economic growth since Australia¡¯s 1990s recession. International education earnings declined by 9?per cent, or A$1.2?billion, between July and September this year, compared with 바카라사이트 corresponding period of 2023.

¡°Visa lodgements are currently down 39?per cent, a clear sign of 바카라사이트 impact of MD107,¡± Mr?Sheehy said. ¡°The changes to visa processing are already slowing commencements, and without action, we¡¯ll see this reflected in 바카라사이트 2024-25 figures with fewer student arrivals and lower earnings.¡±

Immigration expert Abul Rizvi said it was no?surprise that 2023-24 had delivered record education earnings because it had produced 바카라사이트 second-highest net migration in Australian history, exceeded only by 바카라사이트 previous year. ¡°Net migration of students is still at record levels,¡± he said.

Meanwhile, a November tweak to immigration risk ratings should benefit universities, with three institutions promoted from 바카라사이트 worst ¡°level?3¡± category to 바카라사이트 moderate level?2 grouping.

The 20?November rewarded institutions for ¡°improved¡± performance, while those whose metrics had deteriorated were?not given worse ratings, unless 바카라사이트y were private vocational or English language colleges.

Risk ratings currently determine 바카라사이트 order in which visas are processed, with MD107 still in force following 바카라사이트 government¡¯s failure to?legislate its proposed international enrolment caps, although it is expected to be?changed or?replaced before 바카라사이트 year¡¯s end.

The ABS report says education exports increased in every state last financial year, accounting for two-thirds of 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s earnings from travel. Educational income rose by 40?per cent from China, 50?per cent from India and over 90?per cent from 바카라사이트 Philippines.

john.ross@ws-2000.com