IRU and RUN Set Out New Vision for Australia’s International Education System
IRU and RUN Set Out New Vision for Australia’s International Education System
Who Released the Plan?
- Innovative Research Universities (IRU) and the Regional Universities Network (RUN) — representing 14 Australian universities focused on inclusive and regional education.
What Is the Goal?
To create a fairer, sustainable, and diverse international education system by addressing recent policy challenges and ensuring equal growth opportunities across all Australian universities.
Why Now?
- Recent policy changes, especially Ministerial Direction 107 (MD 107), caused:
- Sharp decline in international student enrolment at regional universities (down 28–30%).
- Uneven concentration of international students in large, city-based universities.
- Reduced diversity in student origin countries.
- Australia’s student visa fee is now the highest in the world (AUD $2,000).
The Five-Point Plan Explained
- Fair and Managed Growth of Student Numbers
- Support equitable student distribution across all institutions.
- Let ATEC (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) manage student allocations.
- No cuts to regional campuses until recovery from MD 107 impact.
- Lower Student Visa Costs
- Advocate for reduction of visa fees, especially for short-term students (12 months or less).
- High fees are hurting international partnerships and outbound exchanges.
- Upholding Integrity and Quality
- Support actions to stop unethical practices and frequent course-switching.
- Recommend extending the mandatory stay at an institution from 6 to 12 months before switching.
- Oppose giving the Education Minister power to control enrolment at course level.
- Improved Data and Transparency
- Call for real-time data sharing on student numbers and visa decisions.
- Transparent systems will lead to smarter planning and public trust.
- Positive, Long-Term Strategy
- Push for a finalized, long-term international education framework.
- Should include:
- Fair student number distribution.
- Better outbound opportunities for Australian students.
- Reinstatement of key scholarship programs.
- Support for offshore campuses and partnerships, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
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