This Month
Unis would lose 80,000 students, $3b under Dutton plan: analysis
Australia’s biggest and most research intensive universities would bear the brunt of Peter Dutton’s cuts to overseas students, according to analysis by Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute.
‘Dangerous’ cut to overseas students would trash $51b sector
Peter Dutton has long talked tough on migration. Now he’s revealed a plan that will target our best universities while giving carve-outs for private colleges.
A master’s no longer a golden ticket – just ask the AI job interviewer
Wendy Qin has a higher degree in management on top of her commerce degree. She applied for 40 jobs before landing her first gig.
March
Overseas student numbers blow out to historic high
A record 200,000 overseas students flooded into Australia in February, defying expectations that 18 months of tougher entry rules would dampen demand.
Student bed pipeline jumps 19pc in six months
Momentum is picking up in the purpose-built student accommodation sector after a couple of quiet years.
Emma Johnston takes the reins at Melbourne Uni in a time of crisis
Melbourne University just got its first female vice chancellor, Emma Johnston, and her road ahead will not be plain sailing.
Education sector sparks Sydney property deals
Along with the return of workers to the CBD, a strong tertiary education sector underpins renewed investment confidence in Sydney’s commercial property.
February
RBA warning on foreign student cuts
Government policies to reduce the number of overseas students are working, and the Reserve Bank harbours some concerns.
Tech visa lobby foots bill for Andrew Bragg’s Christmas bash
It’s less glamorous than the Hemmes-sponsored party of 2023, but at least anyone interested in skilled migration or international student caps was happy.
January
Scape draws investors to $6b student housing fund
Despite regulatory uncertainty over student numbers the sector is likely to keep growing, with a pipeline of 30,000 new beds over the next 5 years.
Unis expect near-record foreign student numbers despite policy chaos
The Albanese government has been switching higher education guidelines in efforts to reduce the international student intake, with little effect.
December 2024
Influx of Kiwis, backpackers adds to migration woes
Large numbers of New Zealanders escaping a sluggish economy and backpackers arriving en masse are keeping numbers far higher than government forecasts.
Migration target not a chance, as students keep coming
A raft of government reforms to slow the rate of net migration have been slow to take hold as more students arrive and fewer leave.
Dutton walks back migration target until after election
Peter Dutton has stepped away from a previous commitment to cut net migration to 160,000.
Dexus lobs bid for big super’s Aussie student apartment portfolio
Of note, Canadian giant Brookfield also participated in the first round but ultimately decided the asset wasn’t for it.
November 2024
‘I’m not going to say no to a nice salary’: outgoing Melbourne Uni boss
Duncan Maskell rejects criticism of million-dollar pay packets for vice chancellors, hits back at claims there are too many overseas students, and insists a university education should be free.
China envoy’s plea to Albanese: Don’t let Trump come between us
Ambassador Xiao Qian also raised concerns over Australian moves to clamp down on foreign students during a wide-ranging press conference.
Pivotal election for higher education calls for bigger discussion
Beyond the next election horizon that is driving the student caps issue, the challenges universities now face deserve a serious policy conversation.
AFR readers back foreign student caps
Barely 40 per cent of AFR readers support Peter Dutton and the Greens for blocking caps on foreign students, but the Coalition is regarded as the best to manage migration.
They came in their millions, now voters are fed up
Half of all Australians say migration is too high and politicians are hearing that message loud and clear.