A comprehensive review of the international student industry is urgently needed to assess the true costs and benefits to Australia, according to Conservative Party WA Senate Candidate Jonathan Crabtree.
Mr Crabtree also called for an overhaul of student visa rules, citing a recent report showing that the explosion in international student numbers was contributing to Australia’s extremely high levels of net overseas migration (NOM). In 2017-18, net overseas migration to Australia was 236,733 – one of the highest per capita immigration rates in the world.
The report by the Australian Population Research Institute states that the universities’ growing reliance on full-fee paying overseas students as a source of revenue has eroded education standards.
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