SA working on model to bring back up to 8000 international students in 2021
SA is working on a new model to bring thousands of overseas scholars back in 2021 to revive the $2 billion education market.
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South Australia is working on a plan to revive its $2bn international education sector, with the aim of bringing almost 8000 students back in 2021.
A pilot trial to bring about 300 students back to Adelaide will go ahead early next year.
But the State Government is working with SA Health and universities on a larger plan that it will present to the Federal Government.
The plan will be for a repeatable and scalable system of returning students who are already enrolled to study in Adelaide.
The number of people lodging visas to study in Australia has plunged 60 per cent compared to last year, Home Affairs Department data for the year to October shows.
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has requested all states and territories submit plans for restarting international student arrivals.
“The Federal Government wants a pathway for the resumption of international education in Australia in a COVID-safe way once we have prioritised the return of Australians,” Mr Tehan said.
Scott Morrison last month announced any further plans to bring students back would be put on ice until more Australians could return home.
State Trade Minister Stephen Patterson said the sector was very important to the economy, and contributed to SA’s multicultural vibrancy.
“We’re continuing to work closely with the universities and the Federal Government on the pilot program to return international students to SA in early 2021, as well as broader plans for the return of continuing international students next year,” he said.
International Education Association of Australia boss Phil Honeywood will call on the Federal Government at a high-level meeting in Canberra this week to launch a marketing campaign overseas to rebuild “brand Australia” for students, after border closures caused many to turn to Britain and Canada this year.
In a joint statement, SA’s three universities said they would work with government to ensure students could return “when it is safe to do so”.
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