In a joint assertion, IRU and RUN are calling for a “constructive and principles-based method to securing the way forward for Australia’s worldwide schooling system”.
The networks say it’s in “nationwide curiosity” that every one universities and communities throughout Australia can contribute to, and profit from, a sustainable and high-quality worldwide schooling system.
“Modifications to pupil visa processing and coverage in 2024 disproportionately impacted our college students and universities, and undermined fairness and diversification,” commented IRU govt director Paul Harris, who believes {that a} constructive new method is required after a interval of upheaval for the sector.
“These distortions additionally made life tougher for the colleges that can play probably the most important roles in delivering on the federal government’s objectives for our home tertiary schooling system, as set out within the Universities Accord. We strongly assist the Albanese authorities’s concentrate on elevated participation and fairness,” continued Harris.
RUN chief govt officer Alec Webb defined that, collectively, IRU and RUN, are in search of a “genuinely collaborative method to set coverage and a proactive technique that takes under consideration international adjustments and maximises the advantages of worldwide schooling for all suppliers and for all communities throughout Australia”.
Their 5 level plan for worldwide schooling consists of:
1. A extra managed and equitable method to worldwide pupil numbers for sustainable development
“Each IRU and RUN universities are characterised by extra various pupil cohorts than the sector as an entire,” the joint assertion defined.
“Whereas worldwide college students comprise 26% of all college students learning at Australian universities on the nationwide degree, worldwide college students make up simply 22% of whole IRU pupil numbers, and 16% of whole RUN pupil numbers.”
They imagine that any adjustments to authorities coverage and the next allocation of pupil locations ought to assist higher diversification of each pupil numbers and supply nations, and tackle areas of persistent focus.
IRU and RUN universities and college students have been “disproportionately impacted” by visa processing directive Ministerial Path 107 (MD 107). Whereas worldwide pupil commencements elevated throughout the sector as an entire in 2024, they have been down 28% throughout the IRU, and greater than 30% throughout RUN.
“MD 107 led to additional focus of worldwide pupil numbers at giant metropolitan universities, whereas shrinking the variety of Australia’s worldwide pupil markets. These distortions have made life tougher for the establishments that can play probably the most important roles in delivering on the federal government’s home participation and fairness targets as outlined within the Australian Universities Accord,” the assertion mentioned.
Sooner or later, IRU and RUN wish to see worldwide pupil locations being set by the brand new Australian Tertiary Training Fee (ATEC) as a part of complete college mission-based compacts.
Importantly, the networks are advocating for quick readability on on worldwide pupil allocations for 2026.
“We don’t assist any reallocation of locations away from outer metropolitan and regional campuses till establishments have recovered absolutely from the injury performed by MD 107, and all establishments are on a pathway to sustainable development.”
2. Motion on the price of visa charges to assist college students and diversification.
Already dwelling to the very best pupil visa payment on this planet, in July 2025, the Australian authorities made learning there much more costly, elevating the applying payment to AUD$2,000. The transfer follows an 125% payment improve applied only one yr earlier, from AUD$710 to AUD$1,600.
“There’s proof that the price of a visa is impacting long-standing worldwide partnerships, with companion universities saying that they may direct alternate college students elsewhere attributable to price,” in response to IRU and RUN, which mentioned this reduces alternatives for Australian college students to check overseas and additional undermines diversification.
IRU and RUN are due to this fact advocating for visa charges to be “instantly lowered” for college students coming to Australia for 12 months or much less, consistent with the exemptions already applied by authorities for college students from Pacific Island Nations, in a bid to higher assist particular person college students and assist system diversification.
3. Renewed concentrate on high quality and integrity
IRU and RUN laid out their assist for the re-introduction of integrity measures that have been supposed below the ESOS Modification Invoice in 2024. The IRU and RUN every made ideas to enhance the draft Invoice in 2024 and now say these ought to be reconsidered.
Unethical practices and ‘course-hopping’ proceed to be of concern, and each the IRU and RUN assist the federal government intervening to strengthen integrity throughout the system
Iru and run
The joint assertion learn: “Unethical practices and ‘course-hopping’ proceed to be of concern, and each the IRU and RUN assist the federal government intervening to strengthen integrity throughout the system. Potential responses may embody extending the six-month prohibition interval to 12 months (with applicable safety for college students with real causes to switch) or introducing a requirement for a brand new visa when a pupil strikes to a brand new supplier.”
Elsewhere, the plan states that neither the IRU or RUN helps a minister having energy to intervene in college enrolments of worldwide college students on the degree of particular person programs.
“Integrity measures ought to be finalised in shut session with worldwide schooling suppliers, given the potential for additional unintended coverage penalties,” it mentioned.
4. Improved knowledge and transparency
As a part of the 5 level plan, The IRU and RUN are in search of “elevated transparency and the accessibility of real-time knowledge relating to worldwide pupil numbers and visa processing”.
“Improved knowledge would assist higher decision-making about worldwide pupil numbers and diversification, giving the neighborhood extra confidence within the system as an entire,” the assertion learn.
The networks are additionally say that potential worldwide college students would profit from “higher transparency” from the Division of House Affairs about visa processing selections and timelines.
5. A constructive long-term technique for worldwide schooling
Lastly, the IRU and RUN are calling for a “collaborative method to a proactive, long-term technique for worldwide schooling”.
“2024 was a yr of upheaval in our worldwide schooling system, and the Draft Worldwide Training and Expertise Strategic Framework launched by authorities has not but been finalised. There is a chance on this time period of presidency to set a extra constructive imaginative and prescient for the longer term,” the assertion learn.
The networks are advocating for a long-term technique that features an “equitable and sustainable distribution of worldwide pupil numbers onshore, supported by differentiated pupil visa and post-study migration settings the place required”.
Such a method must also embody a complete plan for outbound mobility by Australian college students, together with post-graduate and PhD college students, with the IRU and RUN additionally calling for substitute packages to deal with the termination of the Endeavour Scholarships and Vacation spot Australia, and additional session on adjustments to the New Colombo Plan, “to make sure that Australian college students from much less privileged backgrounds should not being excluded”.
Elsewhere, they imagine an efficient technique must also make clear the respective roles of universities and authorities in pursuing new alternatives in transnational schooling (TNE), recognising the numerous long-term funding concerned in profitable offshore campuses.
“It ought to lock within the exemption for TNE college students from worldwide college students allocations, whereas reviewing the present definitions of twinning and TNE preparations to higher replicate pupil selection and expertise. The technique must also embody the function of universities in strengthening partnerships within the Indo-Pacific area via schooling and analysis, consistent with Australia’s international coverage priorities.”
IRU and RUN’s 5 level plan for worldwide educartion follows the appointment of Julian Hill, minister for worldwide schooling, with the consortia eager to work constructively with Hill and the Albanese authorities on the technique that each teams say will assist a fairer worldwide schooling system, one which delivers sustainable development.
The PIE is bringing its Asia Pacific convention to the Gold Coast, Australia, on 29-30 July 2025. Click on right here to see the complete agenda and for info on tickets.
