Victorian Government Stands Against Federal Labor’s Limit on International Student Numbers
Tim Pallas stated that the federal government needs to revisit their plans and engage in better consultations with the state and the sector before it’s too late.
The Victorian Labor government has expressed opposition to the federal government’s decision to cap international student numbers.
Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas urged the Commonwealth to reconsider their proposed reforms, warning of potential unintended consequences on the economy and jobs.
The Victorian government highlighted the significant contribution of international students to the economy, generating $14.8 billion in export revenue in 2023 and supporting 63,000 local jobs.
Education Minister Jason Clare announced a cap on new international student intake at 270,000 for the calendar year 2025.
An independent analysis commissioned by the state government projected that these caps could result in the loss of 12,000 jobs and $5.9 billion in revenue by 2027.
The Victorian government argued that these proposed caps could hinder the state’s ability to address local skills shortages and tarnish the sector’s reputation.
Pallas reiterated the need for the federal government to engage in thorough consultations with the state and the sector before proceeding.
Melbourne was lauded as Australia’s top student city and most liveable city in various global rankings.
Universities, including Monash, expressed concerns over the government’s decision to cap international students.
During a Senate Committee hearing, universities across Australia requested the government to reconsider the bill and evaluate its potential impact.
Ant Bagshaw of the Australian Technology Network of Universities highlighted the significant decrease in student enrollments in Canada after similar caps were imposed, questioning if Australia could experience a similar trend.
