Tag: international education
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Media release: Australia must compete for global research talent, not deter it
The Coalition’s migration policy requires careful examination. However, the evidence suggests international student numbers are already falling under current policy settings. Latest Department of Home Affairs data shows higher education visa applications are down 9 per cent compared with last year, while visa grants have fallen 17 per cent. Group…
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Debate@Go8 – Episode 56 – Professor Amit Chakma, Vice-Chancellor and President, The University of Western Australia
Professor Amit Chakma, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Western Australia, discusses the thinking behind UWA’s recent move into India and plans for the wider region; Australia’s long and proud history of international education – both inwards and outwards; the current political environment around international education in Australia; and…
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Opening statement: Joint Standing Committee on Migration
Joint Standing Committee on Migration, Public Hearing for the Committee’s Inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia Opening statement from Dr Matthew Brown, Deputy Chief Executive, The Group of Eight Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee. Australia’s future prosperity depends on our ability to…
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Media release: Migration policy recognises the essential role of international PhDs in building national capability
The Australian Government’s nuanced approach to managing international student numbers will help ensure our leading research-intensive universities maintain a pipeline of high-quality talented researchers from around the world. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said: “By providing exceptions for families of international PhD students seeking to study in Australia,…
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Media statement on Migration Policy – from Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson
International education is not a political plaything. Australia should absolutely have strong standards and clear rules. But repeated proposals to slash international student numbers send the wrong message to the very people we say we want to attract. The reality is that not all international education is the same. Australia’s…
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Media release: Positive Signal for International Education Undermined by Record Student Visa Fees
Holding the migration program (National Planning Level) at 295,000 in 2027 is a significant and welcome decision. It sends an important signal that the Australian Government recognises the economic, workforce and national interest value of international students. It acknowledges that international education is not simply an export industry, but a…
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Go8 submission to the inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia
Joint Standing Committee on Migration Introduction The Group of Eight (Go8) comprises Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. Collectively, we educate one in three international students and conduct around 70 per cent of Australia’s university-based research. This includes educating over 160,000 international students annually – an important pipeline for future permanent skilled…
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Go8 submission to the Inquiry into the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025
Education and Employment Legislation Committee Introduction The Group of Eight (Go8), comprising Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, reaffirms its commitment to a higher education and research sector built on quality and integrity. As outlined in our submission to the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 [Provisions]…
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Debate@Go8 – Episode 53 – Professor Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor, Monash University
Professor Sharon Pickering is an internationally renowned criminologist who has worked with governments worldwide to combat sex trafficking and family violence and is a passionate advocate for the benefits of international education. Recorded May 2025.
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Go8 submission to the Inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia through the Education System and Beyond
Standing Committee on Education Introduction The Go8 supports the Committee’s broad and strategic approach to building Australia’s Asia capability – recognising that success requires more than language proficiency alone. While language remains a critical tool for fostering cultural understanding and deepening relationships, Australia’s future as a middle power in the…
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Go8 statement on managing a sustainable international education sector
The Group of Eight (Go8), comprising Australia’s research-intensive universities supports the Albanese Government’s efforts to improve the quality and integrity of Australia’s international education sector. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said: “A strong international education sector brings multiple benefits to Australia and is clearly in the national interest.…
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Go8 statement on Coalition policy for international students
Statement from the Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson The Coalition’s plan for Australia’s high performing international education sector is the wrong policy at the wrong time. “In the current global environment now is not the time to turn our backs on our regional partners and put at risk…
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Policy brief: International education
The Australian Government’s policies to restrict the inflow of international students is hurting the Australian economy and damaging Australia’s reputation as a place to invest.
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Statement: Go8 Comments re International Education visa policy
Quote attributable to Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson: “The Government has acknowledged that our international student visa system must be underpinned by integrity and quality. However, by replacing one flawed process with another – effectively a ‘slowdown in processing’- it has shifted the goal posts yet again. We run the…
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Media release: MYEFO confirms Australia’s economy needs a strong international education sector – Go8
Today’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) reveals a weakening of the Australian economy and highlights the importance of a strong export sector, particularly international education which is our most successful services export. Group of Eight (Go8) Chief Executive, Vicki Thomson said Australia is increasingly relying on services exports to…
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Debate@Go8 – Episode 46 – The human face of the international student debate
The legislation that would have allowed for the capping of international student numbers looks doomed to fail – with the Coalition and the Greens opposing it. However, the debate around international students continues to rage – wrapped up as it is – erroneously – in arguments about cost of living,…
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Go8 Supplementary Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 [Provisions]
Senator Tony Sheldon Chair, Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee In providing a short supplementary response to the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 [Provisions] (ESOS Amendment Bill) the Group of Eight (Go8) provides additional evidence for the consideration of the Committee and reaffirms that…
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Media release: New Ministry provides an opportunity for international education reset
The Group of Eight (Go8) comprising Australia’s leading research-intensive universities will work with the new Albanese Ministry to ensure Australia’s higher education and research sector is in the strongest possible position to contribute to the nation’s future prosperity. The Go8 will seek an urgent meeting with incoming Minister for Home…
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Media release: International student visa hike – another nail in the coffin for international education
Australia’s international education sector has taken another massive hit with the Albanese Government’s decision to more than double the fee for international student visas in a blatant revenue raising move masked as deterring low quality students. Australia now has among the highest visa fees in the world. The current fee…
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Go8 submission to the Draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework
Draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework consultationDepartment of Education Introduction and recommendations In responding to the Draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework (the Draft Framework) the Group of Eight (Go8) states up front that it is absolutely committed to adopting a more sophisticated approach to international education that…
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Debate@Go8 – Episode 42 – Federal Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender MP
Federal Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender MP, discusses the current debate around universities and migration, the housing crisis, tax reform, the energy transition and even the unexpected joy of politics. Recorded May 2024.
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Debate@Go8 – Episode 41 – Professor George Williams, UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning & Assurance)
Constitutional and human rights law expert, UNSW’s Professor George Williams discusses some of the extraordinarily challenging issues confronting universities right now. Recorded May, 2024.
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Media release: Capping international students will not fix housing affordability or supply
An economic analysis undertaken by the Group of Eight (Go8) which represents Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, demonstrates there is no direct link between international student numbers and the nation’s current housing crisis. Go8 universities either provide or facilitate access to accommodation that caters for over 83,000 students. This is equivalent…
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Policy brief: International students and housing and other cost of living pressures
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