University’s budget burden from study visa changes
Nationwide policies to remove loopholes in student visa applications is beginning to impact the Townsville economy. See what it means for our biggest university.
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James Cook University’s North Queensland campuses have a total budget shortfall of $16m because of new changes to student visa applications, which could have an impact on staff and available programs.
The federal government’s new migration reforms were aimed at addressing loopholes which enabled migrants to use temporary visas to remain in the country.
While the government intended on supporting “genuine students” while tackling exploitation of the educational system, the James Cook University’s vice-chancellor, Simon Biggs, said it unintentionally stung the tertiary campuses he represented.
Toughening of international student visas meant there had been 400 fewer international students enrolled at its Townsville and Cairns campuses, which was significant considering each international student paid $40,000 in fees.
Professor Biggs said these issues were never intended by the Federal Government’s changes which were targeting people from high-risk geographic regions using language schools and other accredited education facilities to work.
He said students from China, North America, Europe and southern India were likely to return to their countries when they finished their degree, but there were geographic areas of higher risk where these students would remain.
James Cook University was not contributing to long-term population increase, and therefore were not having a burden on resources such as housing as students from low-risk areas returned, but the government’s data had been “surgical” to distinguish the lower-end education facilities with universities.
“Their intention was not to gather us into that net, but that’s not how it’s played out,” Professor Biggs said.
“We are hopeful looking forward they will recognise that and take steps to correct it.”
But the university would need to consider adapting its budget.
“That’s not just our staff, that's … all of the facilities, other things that we have and all of the programs that we offer,” Professor Biggs said.
“So I’m hopeful we’ll turn that situation around so we won’t have to make hasty decisions.”
Professor Biggs said the shortage of international students, three-quarters that would typically be based in Townsville, would have an impact on the business community.
“There’s also then all of the expenditure they would do in our local economy; housing, food, all of the entertainment, all of the things you would expect people to spend their money on,” he said.
“So you’re probably be looking at double that in total loss to the north and far north Queensland economies.”
The federal government released a migration strategy last December with many changes coming into effect within the past three months, including higher results in English ability exams, and a requirement for individual students to prove they have $29,710 set aside to study.
Migrants with temporary visas could not apply for another one while remaining in the country, and would have to apply offshore.
Last week the Shadow Minister for Immigration, Dan Tehan, visited the Townsville campus, alongside Herbert MP Phillip Thompson, as the opposition examines its own migration policies.
Mr Tehan said the government “made a mess of immigration” with almost one million people entering the country in the past two years, but they were being drawn to southern capital cities instead of studying in regional areas such as Townsville.
This was impacting regional universities and local businesses.
“”Yet what we’re seeing is that there is delay after delay and those nearly million people that have come in, you know, their question is ‘where have they all gone?’ Mr Tehan said.
“Where are they all going, because they’re not addressing the skill shortages that are here?”
Mr Tehan also criticised the number of immigrants while the country dealt with a housing crisis.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has been contacted for comment.
Originally published as University’s budget burden from study visa changes
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