'It will be a serious body blow to one of Australia’s most critical export industries,' says ACTI CEO
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has expressed concern about the government's plan to limit the number of international students to 270,000 in 2025.
Andrew McKellar, chief executive officer of ACCI, warned that the proposed caps will not promote a stronger economy or help build a sustainable skills pipeline.
"If this legislation is passed, it will be a serious body blow to one of Australia’s most critical export industries," McKellar said in a statement.
According to McKellar, the government also needs to provide clarity about the management of the proposed caps.
"Providers need to see a comprehensive plan that outlines how this legislation would be implemented in a way that supports all of the players in the sector," the CEO said. "VET (vocational education and training) and private providers play a crucial role in addressing our skills shortages, and their contribution must be safeguarded."
Proposed international student caps
Education Minister Jason Clare announced this week the planned number of international students starting a course next year.
"This includes higher education courses and vocational education, and training courses," Clare told reporters.
Under the plan, publicly funded universities in Australia will be able to welcome 145,000 new international students, private higher education providers will welcome up to 30,000, while vocational education and training will welcome up to 95,000.
"What this means is, next year, that there will be about the same number of international students starting a course here as there were before the pandemic," Clare said. "There will be more in our universities and there will be fewer in our private vocational providers."
