"In the last financial year, we witnessed an influx of over half a million international students to our shores," he stated. "Our projections indicate that we're on course to reach the same staggering number by the end of the calendar year in December. Despite a slowdown in application processing, the influx of international students remains at an all-time high."
Tehan emphasized that the current situation is problematic, citing issues such as a housing crisis, rental shortages, difficulties in accessing healthcare, and growing congestion in major cities.
In December, the Australian government, under the leadership of Antony Albanese from the Labor Party, introduced "integrity measures" as part of its migration strategy. These measures include a new Genuine Student Test and alterations to the duration of certain graduate visas. Immigration minister Jason Clare spearheads policies aimed at eradicating exploitative practices within the sector, which he claims resurged following the reopening of the country's borders post-pandemic.
Tehan, who served as the Minister for Education until December 2020, expressed the need for more substantial actions from the government. He remarked, "We acknowledge the place for international students, but in the last 18 months under this Labor government, the situation has become unbalanced. This is not conducive to the well-being of international students or our national reputation."
During his term under Prime Minister Scott Morrison between 2018 and 2020, Tehan advocated for opportunities at regional and rural campuses for international students, alongside their continued enrollment in city campuses.
However, in response to the pandemic, Tehan called for a shift towards offshore, online, and blended learning, as well as innovative delivery models like micro-credentials.
Tehan, known for adopting a more lenient stance on international education during his tenure, differed from Morrison's efforts to discourage overseas students from Sydney and Melbourne. Tehan argued that excellence should arise from collaborations between the sector and local communities, rather than being imposed by the government.
Critics from the Labor Party accused the government of mishandling urban growth and unfairly targeting specific cultural groups. Louise Pratt, former shadow assistant minister for Universities, emphasized in 2018 that international student populations contribute significantly to cities by boosting the economy and job market.
Despite this, a trade subcommittee recommended a government review and consideration of establishing campuses in Central Business Districts, particularly where student populations are predominantly international. The report also urged tightened agent regulations, increased focus on international student employment, and diversification of source countries for international students.
