CAPA believes that the migration policy of Australia should recognise the value of international postgraduate students who are educated within Australia. These graduates are able to transition from being temporary migrants to permanent, skilled migrants. Their existing period of study in Australia ensures that they have lived, studied and worked in Australia. Moreover, they have begun integrating into our society. The focus of our migration policy should be on ensuring that the labour market is set up to support temporary migrants, undertaking international education, to transition into skilled migrants.
International students are a critical part of Australia’s higher education system. It is critical to building Australia’s soft power, whilst also contributing $52 billion a year to the economy, and supporting 250,000 jobs. As can be seen, due to changes in visa prices, international education policies and political rhetoric, international student commencements have begun to flatline.
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CAPA recommends that in order to drive effective skilled migration, that the Federal Government invests in providing subsidies/scholarships to international students enrolling in areas of national priority, and working with business to develop targeted internship to employment pathways for talented international students.
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CAPA encourages Australian to leverage these advantages to become a regional higher education hub for South Asia, provide long-lasting education which supports individuals across their entire career, and mould individuals with capabilities that support them in growing and giving back to the Australian community across their career as a skilled migrant.
