Gold Coast education: Federal Government backflips on international student limit

The Federal Government will today reverse a controversial decision in a major coup for the city which will inject millions into the economy.

THE Federal Government will today reverse a controversial decision to limit the number of international students on the Gold Coast in a major coup for the city.

After intense lobbying by the Bulletin and city leaders, Immigration Minister David Coleman will announce that the Gold Coast will be classified as a regional centre, meaning it is eligible for 25,000 foreign students and can offer an additional year on a temporary, post study work visas.

It’s a big win for the Gold Coast. Photo: David Clark

The Federal Government wanted to implement a new policy which considered the Gold Coast a metropolitan centre along with Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane because of its speedy population growth.

However, Adelaide, with a population of 1.3 million, and Canberra, the nation’s capital, were classified regional.

Despite questions from the Bulletin, Mr Coleman ­previously declined to explain why other fast-growing areas were ­treated differently to the Gold Coast.

David Coleman. (Photo by James Gourley - Pool/Getty Images)

The Government backflip, which will come into effect on November 16, means the Coast will be a “favoured option” for international students. It is also a massive win for the local economy.

Mr Coleman yesterday said: “The Gold Coast will benefit from our regional migration plan which will ensure it has the opportunities it needs to attract skilled migrants and international students,” he said.

“We know our smaller cities and regions want to grow – grow their economies, grow their education sectors and grow their communities.”

Perth will also be deemed a non-major city.

Alfred Slogrove. Picture: Tim Marsden

Study Gold Coast CEO Alfred Slogrove said the change of heart from the Federal Government was a “huge win for the Gold Coast”. 

“We’ve worked incredibly hard to substantiate our case and I’d like to thank all of our members, the City of Gold Coast, the parliamentarians and the media who championed our cause for their unwavering support,” he said.

“A huge thank you to the Gold Coast Bulletin for supporting us in the advocacy of our education sector. 

“I am thrilled that good sense has prevailed and that the Federal Government has now chosen to classify the Gold Coast as a regional area. I can’t over emphasise how important education is to our community and our regional economy.”

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “We’re using our migration program to back our regions to grow to take the population pressure off our major capital cities and by supporting strong regions we’re creating an even stronger economy for Australia.

Fadden MP and NDIS Minister Stuart Robert welcomed the news as a “win for the Gold Coast”.

“It is a win for our education sector and a win for our economy,” he said.

Innovation Minister Kate Jones said it was “the right decision and will mean more jobs for Gold Coasters”.

Minister Kate Jones. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)