Education provider Navitas has welcomed the federal government's announced review of the student visa program, saying it will be a crucial step forward in revitalising the international education industry.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen made the announcement today with Minister for Tertiary Education Senator Chris Evans after a tough year for the sector, which fought falling student numbers and uncertainty over immigration policy.
The government will also introduce new measures to help the sector, including a reduction in student visa assessment levels, greater leeway over cost of living requirements, and improving the flow of information between the sector and government.
Navitas chief executive Rod Jones said his organisation was looking forward to working with the government to implement changes.
"Measures such as reducing assessment levels for the key countries of India and China will make it immediately easier for students from those countries to come to study in Australia as will refined rules for cost of living requirements," Mr Jones said.
Senator Evans said the international education sector had been under pressure this year due to the strong Australian dollar, lingering economic uncertainty and growing competition from countries like the United States, New Zealand and Canada.
"The size and nature of the international education sector has also changed dramatically over the past decade, and it is crucial that we take a whole-of-government approach in responding to these changes," he said.
"That's why the Gillard Government is commissioning a strategic review of the student visa program, which will give education providers and stakeholders an important opportunity to share their vision of the sector's future."
The government will engage in consultation with stakeholders in the international education sector, and has appointed former NSW member of parliament Michael Knight AO to oversee the review.
