On Wednesday 24 September, the International Education Association of Australia, English Australia, and the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia shared the following call to Australian Federal Ministers on the Council for International Education.
"The undersigned peak bodies, representing a substantial number of education providers, students and academics, and international education stakeholders, write to request an urgent reduction to the current $2,000 non-refundable student visa application charge (VAC) for student cohorts applying to study:
- independent ELICOS programs and stay in Australia for less than 52 weeks
- non-award courses and stay in Australia for less than 52 weeks
Australia now has the highest student visa charges in the world. We believe a 50% reduction for these cohorts is both fair and necessary, for the following reasons:
- These students typically seek a short study experience rather than a multi-year qualification. Requiring them to pay the full $2,000 non-refundable fee for a course lasting months or weeks is inequitable especially when compared to longer award-conferring programs.
- Independent English language providers, which deliver world-class programs combining language, sport, and cultural immersion, have been severely impacted by the fee increase of 181% over the last year (from $710 to $2,000 in the past year). The fee increase has eroded Australia’s competitive edge, with some long-standing schools already closing.
- Australia has long benefited from the soft power and cultural exchange generated by short-term study abroad programs. Other countries actively encourage such programs, adding diversity and global perspectives to their student cohorts.
- As well as reducing diversity in Australian classrooms, reduced interest for incoming study abroad and exchange programs (due to the disproportionately high VAC) will restrict outbound semester exchange opportunities for Australian students over time, as exchange partners seek to correct imbalances with Australian providers.
- Maintaining such a high VAC risks damaging Australia’s reputation.
- These students are not part of Australia’s Net Overseas Migration.
While our sector has a clear preference for the Government reducing the VAC for these cohorts without offsetting measures, we recognise that current arrangements have been factored into the Budget outlook. We are therefore prepared to work with the Government to identify measures that will deliver a progressive solution without direct harm to the economy, to business and to Australia’s reputation.
Given the urgency of the situation, we request prompt resolution of these concerns as opposed to any Discussion Paper or ongoing consultation. The sector and our international partners are calling for action and we are seeking to partner with the Government in ensuring that is delivered without unnecessary delay."
Signed by IEAA CEO Hon Phil Honeywood, English Australia CEO Ian Aird and ITECA CEO Felix Pirie.