Lack of plan to bring international students to Victoria leaving universities in limbo

While other states have approved plans to bring back overseas uni students, struggling Victorian universities have been left in limbo.

The state government’s failure to come up with a concrete plan to bring international university students back next year threatens to undermine Victoria’s status as a higher education destination.

New South Wales and South Australia have approved plans in place to bring back students when possible but Victoria’s Student Arrivals Plan has stalled after months of talks.

Universities are stuck in limbo with no certainty if they can accept overseas enrolments for on-campus learning in 2022 following two blank years.

International Education Association chief executive of Australia Phil Honeywood said Victoria’s market share could collapse while other states had a federal government-approved strategy signed and approved by premiers and chief health officers.

The call came as Treasurer Josh Frydenberg yesterday signalled that international students could start returning to Australia when high levels of vaccination were reached.

“It means a lot to our economy, it means a lot to our universities,” Mr Frydenberg said,

Mr Honeywood said the international student market was vital to the overall Victorian economy not just the university sector.

Tens of thousands of overseas students have been kept out by border closures.

“State business groups are totally frustrated with the lack of action for a state government-approved international student return plan,’’ Mr Honeywood said.

“After all, this is Victoria’s biggest industry and while the Premier and Minister (Martin) Pakula vacillate NSW and South Australia are ready to hit the start button from early next year.’’

His comments were made after a deal was done last month to allow international tennis stars in for the Australian Open in January.

Overseas students are now choosing their universities and courses for next March and many will have already enrolled in other countries, such as the UK and Canada, which have more open border policies.

The ailing higher education industry was worth $14 billion to Victoria before the pandemic.

Student accommodation providers have also offered their buildings for quarantine to help make the return of students possible.

An outline of Victoria’s plan was sent to Canberra earlier in the year but more detail was required.

A spokesman for Mr Pakula said it was working with the Commonwealth and education providers to bring in international students when it was “safe and reasonable’’.

Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, says Victoria needs a plan.

“We’re progressing our Student Arrivals Plan which will guide a staged return of students, and we’ll have more to say when we are in a position to do.’’

The state government has pledged $350 million in support through the Higher Education Investment Fund.

Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor Andrew Smith said talks with governments had been taking place for “a number of months”.

“We are committed to working with the federal and state governments on the viable plan that could see students return as soon as possible.

“While our international students have shown incredible resilience during this time and continued their studies online, they are keen to come to Australia to enjoy the rich university experience.’’

Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge’s office was asked to comment.