Chair's Foreword

The disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic wrought massive upheaval for Australia’s international education sector. An industry worth more than $40 billion in economic activity in 2019 was shrunk to half its size by 2022. The rebuilding of the pipeline of enrolments is expected to take years, although current data shows an encouraging recovery in student numbers.

The international education sector is complex. It brings together an interplay of institutions, educators and businesses – overlaid by government policy in the form of sectoral regulation and migration policy. The contribution of each in concert is critical to the sector’s success. This report encourages all involved in the sector to take the disruption of recent years as an opportunity to rebuild and reset.

Our inquiry received submissions and evidence from experts across regional Australia and in the cities, from institutions and educators to students and migration agents, representing a broad range of perspectives and insights. Our recommendations reflect the evidence we have heard.

We believe the international education sector will be well-served by adopting a ‘Team Australia’ approach to marketing and branding. It should aim to build awareness of Australia as an education destination and prioritise diversification into new and emerging geographic markets. We also believe that there will be benefits in investing in a systemic effort to track and support alumni networks and foster enduring connections to Australia, with a focus on priority countries.

There is an opportunity to also focus on students and their wellbeing, and opportunities to use new methods of supporting students and teaching methods while also ensuring the educational experience in Australia is a rich and rewarding one.

The dividends of success can be earned within Australia, and also beyond our shores. International students returning home from their studies in Australia carry with them also the positive experience of Australian society with its democratic traditions and successful multicultural heritage.

The sector continues to face many challenges: from the role of regional universities, to the regulation and oversight of the private Vocational Education and Training industry, through to student housing and accommodation.

It is heartening to see that in the time the subcommittee’s inquiry has been underway that there has already been significant work done by the government to respond to the challenges, including new efforts to tighten and streamline visa processes while ensuring the integrity of the Australian migration system.

This is an interim report as part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into the international education and tourism sectors. While this document focuses on the education sector in its own right, it lays the foundations for a broader consideration of the significant intersection between international education and tourism in modern Australia.

Particular thanks must go to the secretariat and its staff for their detailed work as part of the subcommittee’s hearings, management of submissions and in the production of this report.

Special mention must also be made of Mr Julian Hill MP whose personal experience in the sector was of particular relevance in guiding the committee and its deliberations.

We urge the government to take aboard the recommendations for action and to implement them judiciously and in a timely manner.Senator Deborah O’NeillChairTrade Subcommittee