International students are returning to Australia after almost two years of closed borders.
The number of international students in Australiarose by 29,856in the first six weeks after the Australian governmentopened the border to themin mid-December.
Charli Ronander Berge, a UTS fashion student, was part of the first cohort of international students to return to Sydney this year.CREDIT:LOUISE KENNERLEY
But there are still about 300,000 fewer international students in Australia than before the pandemic. About 147,000 current student visa holdersremain outside Australia.
And it’s not just education institutions that will be anxiously watching the rate at which these students return. International students are a vital part of the workforce in many industries. In particular, many work in hospitality and carer roles. The Australian government is trying toentice international students to returnby offering visa refunds andeasing limitson their access to the workforce.
These temporary arrangements highlight the sometimes uneasy relationship between international education, migration and the workforce.
What has changed since the borders opened?
The loosening of border restrictions in December 2021 has reversed the steady decline in international student numbers. At its lowest point, there were 248,750 international students in Australia, a fall of about 57 per cent from before the pandemic and thelowest levelsince 2007.
Since the borders reopened, students have returned to Australia in larger numbers from some countries than others. The numbers of students from India and Nepal have increased the most. Students from these two countries account for more than 50 per cent of the increase in the past six weeks.
By comparison, Chinese international students have not returned to Australia as quickly. More than 86,000 of them remain outside Australia; about 60 per cent of all international students are still overseas.
But this doesn’t mean Chinese students will not return. China recorded the largest increase of any country in student visa holders since borders opened, a rise of about 5500. This suggests many new Chinese students have applied for and been granted visas.
These students may be waiting until the start of semester before coming to Australia.
Why is the labour market important?
One reason students are returning at different rates may be due to the labour market.
According to 2016 census data, Indian and Nepalese students are much more likely to be part of the workforce than Chinese students. About 78 per cent of Indian and 87 per cent of Nepalese students are employed in the Australian workforce, compared to less than 21 per cent of students from China.
The government’s efforts to get international students back to Australia more quickly highlights how important their labour is to many parts of the economy. The 2016 census showed current andrecently graduatedinternational students made up about 2 per cent of the total labour force. This student workforce is concentrated in areas reporting shortages.
Before the pandemic, about 15 per cent of waiters, 12 per cent of kitchen hands and 10 per cent of cooks and chefs were current or recently graduated international students. About 11 per cent of commercial cleaners were current or recent international students.
These occupations have facedwidespread difficultiesinfinding staff.
International students also work in important carer roles. Before the pandemic, about 9 per cent of allnursing support staff and personal care workersin aged care were current or recent international students.
Many other occupations where the pre-pandemic workforce included large numbers of international students arerecording vacanciesat well above pre-pandemic levels.
What are the implications of students’ role as workers?
Access to the Australian labour market has been a controversial aspect of international education.
International students are required to demonstrate they are a “genuine” student, and not using a student visa to enter the country primarily to work. Yet, the reasons for international students to select Australia as a destination are varied and complex. The ability to work is an important consideration.
Australia uses access to the labour market to compete with other countries for students. In 2008, Australiaremoved the needfor students to apply for a separate work visa. International students have been able to work 20 hours a week. That limit has now been lifted until at least April 2022.
Following the 2011Knight review, many international students have been able to apply fora post-study visa. This lets them work in Australia for between one and five years after finishing their course.
Competitor countries are also usingpost-study work rightsto attract a bigger share of international enrolments.
The need to temporarily loosen work restrictions shows it is not just universities that rely on international students. Many Australians will benefit from their labour.
In welcoming international students back to the country, it is important to ensure their rights are protected. These students can beparticularly vulnerableto exploitation in the workplace. Current visa arrangements can encourage international students to cyclethrough cheap coursesso they can stay in Australia.
As international education recovers, a better understanding of the link between international education, migration and employment can help inform policy that protects everyone’s interests in the sector.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/return-of-international-students-should-be-welcomed-with-policy-reform-20220214-p59wdu.html
