International students 'feel the squeeze' too

Students coming from overseas to study in Australia have borne much of the brunt of the continuing decline in the funding and quality of Australian higher education. CAPA calls on the major parties to make a commitment to extend the same benefits to international students as local students enjoy. These include free public health care, free public education for their dependants, and more liberal work allowances under student visas.

"There is a perception out there that international students don't contribute to Australia economically - for example that we don't pay taxes," said CAPA International Students' Officer Rajat Dhawan today. "International students pay the same taxes as Australians, including income tax and GST."

"International students don't just come to Australia, take their education, and leave," commented CAPA President Stephen Horton. "In 2003 alone, education services to overseas students brought Australia over five billion dollars - more than Australia's trade in wool . In many cases, whole families have saved to send a single student to Australia for their higher education - yet when they come to Australia international students must pay the full cost of their health care, and for state education for their children. In NSW and Victoria they are denied student transport concessions. These extra costs are rarely disclosed before the student arrives in Australia," said Mr Horton.

Nor is the quality of the education students will receive made clear to them, with unscrupulous agents misrepresenting what is on offer. An international student told CAPA: "The information I received about [my] course was entirely misleading - to the point where I wouldn't have enrolled in the course [otherwise]" (See further quotes on attached briefing paper).

This experience is far from uncommon.

Further, some universities are cynically marketing courses to appeal to students seeking permanent residency, said Mr Dhawan: "Certain universities have modified their courses to suit the criteria for permanent residency. This means that, in many cases, the quality of education has deteriorated. Universities are coming up with postgraduate programs which target the pass mark at permanent residency visa requirements, rather than at the educational quality requirements."

Other major issues which overseas students face are racism and unemployment. "Many overseas students who stay in Australia with the hope of getting a relevant job so that they are able to repay their debts to their families end up working in gas stations, convenience stores and security jobs. What a waste of the talents of excellent students whom Australia has educated," Mr Dhawan concluded.