Australia Projects Loss of 250,000 Jobs Reliant on International Students
Sheehy noted that both major political parties initially supported the return of international students post-pandemic but later reversed their stance. He also disputed claims that international students are to blame for the housing crisis, attributing it to rising rents during a pandemic-induced slump in student numbers.
Binye-lum 
Australian authorities have projected that measures limiting international students could endanger 250,000 jobs reliant on foreign student income, including 4,500 university positions and over two-thirds of international tourism workers. These restrictions threaten the $48 billion international education sector.
Luke Sheehy, Chief Executive of Universities Australia, warned at a Queensland conference that visa processing changes alone could cost universities A$500 million (£261 million) this year. Sheehy criticized both government and opposition policies aimed at reducing migration through targeting international students, arguing they overlook broader economic impacts and threaten a major export industry.
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Sheehy noted that both major political parties initially supported the return of international students post-pandemic but later reversed their stance. He also disputed claims that international students are to blame for the housing crisis, attributing it to rising rents during a pandemic-induced slump in student numbers.
This trend mirrors global patterns, with other countries like the UK also experiencing job losses in academia due to falling international student numbers and sector caps on migration.
