A Labor-led Senate committee has backed a bill to introduce an international students cap, but has recommended it done so with significant amendments.
The federal government plans to cap the number of international students to 270,000 in 2025, 30 per cent less than last year.
The bill would bring temporary migration numbers to pre-pandemic levels and crack down on dodgy education providers.
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However, the committee wants the ability to set enrollment limits at a course level removed, recommending consultation should be had with providers, the immigration minister and other peak bodies before setting future limits.
The current proposed bill would allow the power to set limits for specific universities and TAFE courses.
Labor Senator and chair of the committee Tony Sheldon said the Liberals and Nationals should “stop delaying” the process.
“Despite these delays and extensions, it’s notable that the opposition couldn’t come up with a single recommendation for how they think the bill should be improved,” he said.
“The sector needs to return to sustainable levels of international enrolments to ensure that both international and domestic students are getting the quality education they deserve.”
Universities Australia, the sector’s peak body, said the proposed cap would “reshape Australia’s international education sector in a way that … risks our national prosperity and the viability of our universities”.
It believes up to 14,000 jobs would be lost if the bill passes.
“Universities have come to rely on international student fees to fund their operations due to a shortfall in government funding for research, teaching and campus infrastructure,” Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy said.
The bill will be debated at the start of November.