Millions of dollars stripped from NQ economy with student visa delays

James Cook University is missing out on millions of dollars in revenue as student visa applications are closely scrutinised by the federal government.

New JCU students during O-week at the university's Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville. Picture: Blair Jackson

James Cook University is missing out on millions of dollars in revenue as student visa applications are closely scrutinised by the federal government.

The university’s Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville was a hive on Monday as orientation-week began for 2024’s 2300 new students, including 330 internationals.

Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said international student enrolments were up about 20 per cent on 2023.

But North Queensland was missing out on millions of dollars as applicants had pending visa applications lingering in the public service, Professor Biggs said.

“The government is definitely clamping down on the visa process this year and that has very definitely made visa approval slower,” he said.

JCU students Freya Boggild, left, and Gabriel Eigbobo. Picture: Blair Jackson

More than 100 students who met English-ability requirements and had the correct high school qualifications were waiting for visa approvals, Professor Biggs said.

A hundred international students not getting to JCU cost the institute $4m in revenue, plus about $2m-$3m in wider rent, food and discretionary spending for North Queensland, he said.

Early last year at least five universities quietly banned some South Asian applicants over concerns about fraudulent visa applications.

The universities installed the bans against the backdrop of tougher Department of Home Affairs restrictions on visa holders.

“So very significant economic impact for our region,” Professor Biggs said of the students not on campus.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs. Picture: Blair Jackson

“So we’re doing very well, but we could be doing even better.”

New North Queenslander Gabriel Eigbobo, 38 of Nigeria, has chosen JCU to study a Master of Business Administration.

JCU’s teaching methodology appealed to Mr Eigbobo, who also had a brother in Townsville.

He worked in insurance and risk management in Nigeria, and said his Australian visa took about one month to be approved.

Australians tended to study earlier than Nigerians, who had to work and save to pay for tertiary education, so Mr Eigbobo said any barrier to study such as visa delays was unfortunate.

Gabriel Eigbobo, 38 of Nigeria, has chosen JCU to study a Master of Business Administration in 2024. Picture: Blair Jackson

His studies have started for the year, and Mr Eigbobo enjoyed hearing a diverse range of opinions and perspectives from students, including Kenyans, Zimbabweans and Congolese.

Former Townsville Grammar School student Freya Boggild is one of about 10 from her school cohort studying medicine at JCU this year.

Her grandfather was a GP, her dad’s a doctor and her brother just graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from JCU in the past few years.

“My brother has always raved about the course. Medicine is all he talks about, and he said JCU just has such a strong support system, really good teachers and lecturers,” Ms Boggild said.

Originally published as Millions of dollars stripped from NQ economy with student visa delays