June 28, 2010The
Hospitality Training Association (HTA) has written to all levels of government requesting urgent action to address “crisis” in the nation’s international education export industry.
In his letter to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Christopher Evans, HTA CEO Phillip Charlton (pictured) warns Australia’s economy could lose up to $9 billion if government policies are not reviewed.
Charlton says Australia will sustain at least a 30 percent drop in international students applying for study visas this year as a result of Federal Government policy and visa changes.
“Independent reports commissioned by the Australia Council for Private Education and Training, taking into account DIAC’s (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) projections, have forecast that the Australian international education sector could lose $4.8 billion this year from this sheer drop in the number of students coming to Australia,” he says.
According to Charlton, the loss will not only affect the international education industry, but hit the country’s retail, accommodation, tourism and hospitality sectors as well.
“As a result, this could equate to an additional $4.2 billion loss for businesses and local communities,” he says.
STUDENTS TURN TO COMPETITORSCharlton argues international students expect a “stable policy environment, a reliable and transparent set of rules, and a firm understanding of their rights and obligations” to have confidence in Australia’s education export market.
However, he says over the past 12 months, shifts in Federal Government policies and practices around student visas have effectively driven the Australian market competitors.
These include: changes to student visa requirements (resulting in a jump in rejection rates) and variations to assessment levels for different countries.
Charlton says urgent action is needed to reduce the impact on Australian jobs and businesses.
“Governments of all levels need to take responsibility, start listening to the international education sector and work together,” he says.
“As an elected representative, we need your assistance in ensuring that Australia’s international education export industry is not further damaged.”
