In a joint assertion, IRU and RUN are calling for a “constructive and principles-based strategy 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.
“Adjustments 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 strategy is required after a interval of upheaval for the sector.
“These distortions additionally made life more durable for the colleges that can play probably the most crucial roles in delivering on the federal government’s objectives for our home tertiary schooling system, as set out within the Universities Accord. We strongly help the Albanese authorities’s give attention to elevated participation and fairness,” continued Harris.
RUN chief govt officer Alec Webb defined that, collectively, IRU and RUN, are searching for a “genuinely collaborative strategy to set coverage and a proactive technique that takes into consideration world modifications 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 strategy 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 stage, worldwide college students make up simply 22% of complete IRU pupil numbers, and 16% of complete RUN pupil numbers.”
They consider that any modifications to authorities coverage and the following allocation of pupil locations ought to help higher diversification of each pupil numbers and supply international locations, and deal with areas of persistent focus.
IRU and RUN universities and college students have been “disproportionately impacted” by visa processing directive Ministerial Route 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 massive metropolitan universities, whereas shrinking the variety of Australia’s worldwide pupil markets. These distortions have made life more durable for the establishments that can play probably the most crucial roles in delivering on the federal government’s home participation and fairness targets as outlined within the Australian Universities Accord,” the assertion stated.
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 rapid readability on on worldwide pupil allocations for 2026.
“We don’t help any reallocation of locations away from outer metropolitan and regional campuses till establishments have recovered absolutely from the injury executed by MD 107, and all establishments are on a pathway to sustainable development.”
2. Motion on the price of visa charges to help college students and diversification.
Already dwelling to the best pupil visa charge on the earth, in July 2025, the Australian authorities made learning there much more costly, elevating the applying charge to AUD$2,000. The transfer follows an 125% charge improve carried out only one yr earlier, from AUD$710 to AUD$1,600.
“There may be 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 as a result of price,” based on IRU and RUN, which stated this reduces alternatives for Australian college students to review overseas and additional undermines diversification.
IRU and RUN are subsequently advocating for visa charges to be “instantly diminished” for college students coming to Australia for 12 months or much less, in step with the exemptions already carried out by authorities for college students from Pacific Island Nations, in a bid to raised help particular person college students and help system diversification.
3. Renewed give attention to high quality and integrity
IRU and RUN laid out their help for the re-introduction of integrity measures that have been supposed beneath the ESOS Modification Invoice in 2024. The IRU and RUN every made recommendations 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 help 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 help the federal government intervening to strengthen integrity throughout the system. Attainable responses might embody extending the six-month prohibition interval to 12 months (with acceptable 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 stage 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 stated.
4. Improved knowledge and transparency
As a part of the 5 level plan, The IRU and RUN are searching for “elevated transparency and the accessibility of real-time knowledge relating to worldwide pupil numbers and visa processing”.
“Improved knowledge would help 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 Residence Affairs about visa processing choices and timelines.
5. A constructive long-term technique for worldwide schooling
Lastly, the IRU and RUN are calling for a “collaborative strategy 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 long run,” 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 technique also needs to 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 alternative packages to handle the termination of the Endeavour Scholarships and Vacation spot Australia, and additional session on modifications to the New Colombo Plan, “to make sure that Australian college students from much less privileged backgrounds will not be being excluded”.
Elsewhere, they consider an efficient technique also needs to 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 raised mirror pupil alternative and expertise. The technique also needs to embody the position of universities in strengthening partnerships within the Indo-Pacific area by way of schooling and analysis, in step 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 help 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.
