Vis-à-vis international education reform, a new type of visa may pay dividends

Most international students looking at Australia choose to study in our major cities, drawn to the high-profile sandstone universities, and often an existing connection with the diaspora from across the globe more prevalent in larger cities.

At Federation University, we currently have around 4,000 international students , with many enjoying the lifestyle of regional centres, our campuses’ idyllic locations, and smaller class sizes. These factors help inform students’ choice of destination or can be a pleasant surprise when they arrive.  

While the choice of where and what to study should remain with the student, I believe giving priority to international students who choose to take up study in our regional communities, and to study courses that align with our skills needs, will provide a basis for sustainable growth in the sector, and help the Federal Government achieve its desire to ‘strengthen the integrity and sustainability of the international education sector’.

A solution I have proposed is the introduction of a National Regional Priority Skills Student (NRPSS) Visa program. This visa directly addresses the Universities Accord and the Federal Government’s call for a more skills-orientated international student program. It will see skill gaps impacting economic growth in the regions addressed, create more opportunities for our domestic students and attract more talent to the regions. 

This proposal emphasises the opportunity for international students to study and gain experience on paid placements in sectors that struggle to attract local students in the regions – such as renewable energy, technology or advanced manufacturing. These are not only national priorities but require skills in high demand across the world, meaning those who take up this offer will graduate with a qualification that is attractive globally.

The proposed visa would require international students to use student accommodation or homestay programs to prevent adding pressure to local rental markets. It would also offer successful applicants the opportunity to work with paid-placement partners during non-study periods or part-time in their final year, to maximise their prospect of successful ongoing employment.

Although the majority of international students leave Australia after their studies, if they are able to stay in Australia to make their new life, they would be qualified to help address skills shortages in critical sectors and should have stronger eligibility to meet our skilled migration points test requirements.

Importantly, attracting overseas students to these regional programs will also bolster their sustainability as we build domestic attainment in these fields under the Federal Government’s Accord reforms.

While I look forward to greater clarity on how we will strengthen international education, this proposal could continue the important work of creating a fairer, more sustainable higher education sector while fuelling the aspirations of our regional and outer-suburban communities.

Professor Duncan Bentley is Vice-Chancellor and President of Federation University Australia