Independent providers in the skills training and higher education sectors have rejected suggestions that an ‘international student levy’ should be introduced. The idea was raised in the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report released by the Australian Government, and has been widely criticised by members of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.
“Imposing a levy on international students burdens international students financially, and diminishes the attractiveness of Australia as a destination of choice in the minds of international students,” Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
The Australian Universities Accord Interim Report suggests that revenue from any such levy might be used by government to act as a safeguard against potential economic or policy changes and support sector-specific priorities, like infrastructure and research. The Accord is also contemplating other avenues for infrastructure financing, possibly extending the levy.
The notion of an ‘international student levy’ has been widely condemned by ITECA members.
“As one ITECA member said, if this levy looks like a tax and smells like a tax, let’s call it what it is … an international student tax,” Mr Williams said.
Working with its members, ITECA is preparing its response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report and this response will reject the idea of an international student levy.
“With the strong backing of its members in the international education sector, ITECA will push back against any proposal to introduce an international student levy,” Mr Williams said.
In the 2023 Vision For International Education, ITECA has argued that Australia needs to put students at the heart of the international education system to ensure that the nation can embrace cultural diversity, build inclusive communities and advance Australia’s position in the region.
“ITECA’s policy objective is to put students at the heart of the international education system where government policy supports them in their studies. An international student levy is entirely incompatible with this,” Mr Williams said.
ITECA notes that applying the levy across the entire tertiary education sector would disproportionately impact students with independent skills training and higher education providers.
“This is a significant issue for independent skills training and higher education providers that support around 55% of international student enrolments,” Mr Williams concluded.
