Lobby groups for universities hit hard by international student caps propose a five-point plan, for “a fairer international education system that delivers sustainable growth.”
The Innovative Research Universities group and the Regional Universities Network argue government visa changes since 2024 helped major metro institutions while reducing international enrolments among their members by around 30%.
They have united to develop a plan for change, proposing:
- Places – In the immediate term IRU-RUN calls for no change on 2026 international numbers for their members, until, “all institutions are on a pathway to sustainable growth.” Once the Australian Tertiary Education Commission is operating it should set international numbers at each institution as part of compact agreements with government.
- Visa costs – Existing fees “will privilege high-income students.” In the first instance visa costs should be cut for students coming for up to 12 months.
- A “quality and integrity focus” – Government should act on “course-hopping,” by banning students switching providers for up to 12 months. The partners do not set out why, but it may be to prevent internationals being granted visas to study at a high-status institution but transferring on arrival to a low-fee provider which is cover for their working full-time. However, they also oppose ministers intervening at course level.
- Improved data – which would “support better decision making” on student numbers.
- Long-term strategy – based on “genuine cooperation” between providers and government, for an “equitable and sustainable distribution of international student numbers on-shore, supported, “where required” by “differentiated” student visa and post-study “migration settings.”
The strategy should also “clarify” government and provider roles in offshore campuses, “recognising the significant long-term investment involved, the partners said.
Overall, the allies call their proposals, “a positive and principles-based approach to securing the future.