As a new variant of the coronavirus leaves Australia with no choice but to be back under lockdown, Australian representative groups outline practical measures to carry out revival plans for the international education industry that the pandemic has impacted in recent months.
To draft practical plans to help the international education sector’s revival, peak associations, pedagogical experts, and airline executives have laid out their recommendations in roundtable meetings.
Key Takeaways:
- Australian representative groups proposed practical plans to revive the international education industry.
- The international student strategy prioritizes international student return, especially for countries with low infection rates.
- Australia has developed two visa reform proposals for consideration by immigration minister Alex Hawke.
In the July 30 meeting, attendees discussed the lead time required to organize charter flights and the digital vaccine passport developed by the International Air Transport Association. These considered practicalities are anticipated to be carried out to respond when the latest restrictions have been lifted.
The meeting participants also tackled other considerations, such as visa changes deemed to boost the country’s attraction to visitors and students, and funding assistance for international student representatives.
Key participants of the meeting also looked into initiatives that will optimize course delivery for 172,000 international students in Australia and another 135,000 stranded in other countries.
The Australian Financial Review reported about the draft of a 10-year international student strategy presented to federal education minister Alan Tudge in late July.
This international student strategy encompasses practical recommendations prompting Australia to prioritize international student return to the country, especially those from countries with low infection rates, and an 18-month roadmap to steer the industry’s recovery from the most damaging impacts of the pandemic.
It was also reported that the plan also included proposals for visa fee waivers for students and regulatory relief for some educational institutions to reduce the burden of regulation due to some compelling reasons.
The strategy also featured a government-supported campaign to guarantee students that they are still welcome to the country to pursue their international education.
Toward the end, the roundtable meetings finalized two visa reform proposals for consideration by immigration minister Alex Hawke.
The first proposal advances a possibility for “migration points” available to international students to be doubled, helping them prepare for Australian workplaces should they complete professional year programs in the country.
Meanwhile, the other proposal would qualify international graduates for two years of post-study work rights in Australia, notwithstanding the online completion of their courses in their home countries.
Read more:
- AU Int’l Ed Sector Faces Loss After 120K+ Students Unable To Travel Abroad
- Australia Plans Recovery After Massive Drop in Int’l Ed Market
- Unis Down Under Alarmed Over Losing Key Control in COVID-19
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