26 Percent of Australia’s Student-Visa Holders Outside the Country

Students walk around the University of New South Wales campus in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 1, 2020. AP Photo/Mark Baker

More than a quarter of Australia’s student-visa holders remain overseas despite efforts to revive the country’s $37.6 billion pre-pandemic industry.

Figures from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment show that as of July 4, there were 420,369 primary student visa holders in Australia, 26 percent of whom were overseas.

China ranks first on the Top 10 country list of international students in Australia. About 116,113 Chinese students hold student visas, 49 percent of whom were outside Australia.

Reasons for students staying overseas include slow visa approval, passport replacement, local lockdown, expensive air tickets, fear of COVID-19, the high cost of living in Australia, and getting used to taking classes remotely.

International students pose for a photograph with university representatives after arriving at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 6, 2021. AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

Education Minister Jason Clare said that the number of Chinese students at Australian universities fell 24 percent in the first quarter of this year, with fear of COVID and a shortage of flights being the main reasons students are not returning.

“This is our biggest export that we don’t dig out of the ground, and it’s been smashed by COVID,” Clare told Sky News in June.

Universities Australia, the sector’s peak body, predicted that Australian universities will lose $16 billion by 2023 because of the loss of international students.

“We can’t pretend that won’t have a big impact,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said in a statement.

“Not only does that revenue support the staff and facilities to educate the next generation of skilled workers, it also pays for much of the research and innovation that keeps Australia internationally competitive.”

“If there’s less research on campus, we will be less equipped to deal with crises like COVID-19 and bushfires in future.”

Expert: Chance to Reset Reputation of Australian Universities

However, there is also a voice from the sector calling to make university funding independent from international student fees.

“International students are a critical part of a healthy, prosperous Australia for all,” said Alex Chevrolle, a director of international education provider Study Group Australia.

“We have a chance to reset our reputation as a leading education destination, but it will require changing the way we view these students—not as economic commodities, but as individuals who make a significant contribution to Australian society.”

This is echoed by Gabriël Moens, an emeritus professor of law at the University of Queensland.

“Chevrolle’s plea is thus a timely and strong message, which should be heeded by the university sector,” Moens wrote in an opinion article for The Epoch Times.

“As the COVID-19 emergency is winding down, Australian universities have indeed an opportunity to reset their reputation by conducting neutrality-free research and teaching and providing international students with outstanding and imaginative educational experiences.”

“Only then will their fees be well spent.”