The Coalition’s proposal to cap international student enrollment at 25 percent has sparked criticism from the international education sector.
Yesterday, the Liberal Coalition announced plans to limit the proportion of international students in Australian university courses to 25 percent.
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the Australian International Education Association, said the association had not been consulted on the proposed cap. He described the announcement as hasty and lacking input from higher government agencies. Honeywood warned that such a move could damage Australia’s image as a nation that values multiculturalism and education.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s claim that reducing international students would ease housing pressures for young Australians has also drawn sharp criticism from higher education leaders.
In addition, the opposition coalition has proposed setting the student visa application fee at $2,500 for all students, and doubling it to $5,000 for students attending eight major universities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and the Australian National University.
Australia already has the most expensive student visa fees in the world, after the Labor government raised the cost to $1,600 last year.
