The Australian Government has intensified its attack on jobs in the international education sector, releasing details of the proposed 2025 caps on the number of international skills training students last Friday. The peak body representing independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), higher education and international education providers, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), has been inundated with questions from members who are perplexed, bewildered, and deeply worried.
“College closures are now inevitable, and ITECA members lay the blame squarely at the feet of Australian Government politicians responsible for international education policy,” said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
Over the weekend, the ITECA membership considered the advice concerning next year’s international student intake, and the response was negative and worrying.
“The impact of these cuts on the number of international students able to come to Australia is staggering with up to 300 independent colleges expected to close. Their employees will lose their jobs, as will other employees in colleges that will have to scale down to survive,” Mr Williams said.
Colleges now facing an existential threat support international students in key industry sectors, including aviation, aged care and healthcare.
“There is a widespread and chilling belief within the ITECA membership that Australian Government politicians simply do not care about the livelihoods they are destroying,” Mr Williams said.
ITECA is deeply concerned about the welfare of those who will lose their jobs due to the Australian Government’s approach to international education.
“ITECA is working collaboratively with Departmental staff to mitigate the worst impacts on RTOs that deliver quality student outcomes. However, there is only so much that can be done while Australian Government politicians issue directives and say how international students are pushing up housing costs, a widely debunked false narrative,” Mr Williams said.
ITECA has reissued its call for a long-term strategy for international education that creates a framework where the sector can operate sustainably, jobs are protected, and international students feel welcome.
“Sadly, the current approach of the Australian Government to international education is opposed to these outcomes,” Mr Williams concluded.
According to ITECA, the Australian Government needs to rethink its approach to consider the impact on the sector more completely, restoring an evidence-based approach to policymaking.
“The most sensible thing to do, given the proximity to the 2025 academic year, would be to delay the commencement of the caps for at least six months. This allows the Australian Government to be transparent in its methodology and develop a sustainable approach that supports quality RTOs and the people they employ”, Mr Williams concluded.
Ends.
Troy Williams - High Res Photo
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Key Facts:
The Australian Government released details of the proposed 2025 caps on the number of international skills training students last Friday.
ITECA says college closures are now inevitable, and ITECA members lay the blame squarely at the feet of Australian Government politicians responsible for international education policy.
Contact details:
Troy Williams - ITECA Chief Executive
e: troy.williams@iteca.edu.au
m: 0400 599 934
