The Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) has tabled its interim report today for the inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors.
This interim report has a primary focus on the future of Australia’s international education sector post-COVID and explores options for the sector’s sustainable growth.
The Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill, commented, ‘International education makes a substantial contribution to Australia in many forms through its impact on the economy, our reputation abroad and the broader community. Upholding the integrity of the sector and quality of higher education provided to international students is therefore essential in many respects.’
‘The 29 recommendations made by the Committee complement the reforms recently announced by the Government, with the aim of strengthening the integrity and enhancing the competitiveness of Australia’s international education sector,’ said Senator O’Neill.
‘While we anticipate that this inquiry’s final report will have more of a focus on the recovery of Australia’s tourism sector, as the Subcommittee continues to travel across the country, we will continue to collect evidence on international education,’ confirmed Senator O’Neill. ‘As noted since this inquiry began, the environment that international education operates in is dynamic.’
