The Liberals and Nationals say the changes would reduce the number of temporary migrants in Australia by about 650,000 over four years, while students completing PhDs, studying health or education, or studying at regional universities would retain access to post-study transitional visas.
The Coalition also says it would link each student visa to the enrolling institution and crack down on international students breaching work-hour restrictions.
The plan would “reduce international student migration by restricting most secondary applicants, which are expected to reduce the share of foreign students in higher education to below 25%”.
Responding to the news, the Group of Eight has warned the Coalition’s migration policy requires “careful examination” and noted that international student numbers are already falling under current policy settings put in place by the Labor government, with higher education visa applications are down 9% compared with last year, while visa grants have fallen 17%.
The Go8 warned that the changes need to distinguish between different types of international students and graduates, arguing highly skilled students and researchers should not be swept up in broad migration cuts.
“We support measures that strengthen the integrity of Australia’s migration and education systems and have consistently backed action against poor-quality providers,” said Go8 chief executive Vicki Thomson.
“But not all international education is the same, and policy should reflect that reality.”
Not all international education is the same, and policy should reflect that reality
Vicki Thomson, Group of Eight
Thomson said retaining partner visa eligibility for Higher Degree by Research students was a “sensible recognition of their value to Australia”, pointing to the more than 13,800 international PhD students enrolled across Go8 universities.
“These are the researchers, innovators and future experts helping drive Australia’s economic and research capability,” she said.
She also warned against removing post-study work pathways for highly skilled graduates.
“Not all graduates are the same, and not all institutions deliver the same outcomes,” said Thomson.
“We’re talking about graduates from world-class Australian universities who go on to fill critical skills shortages, drive innovation and strengthen Australia’s future capability.
“These are not just graduates. They are future engineers, researchers and technology specialists with the skills Australia needs to grow its economy and tackle future challenges.”
The Go8 said a targeted approach would be preferable to blanket restrictions.
“It would be risky to assume Australia can maintain this pipeline of highly skilled talent if pathways such as the Temporary Graduate Visa are removed.”
Universities Australia also warned the proposed cuts could damage the international education sector, which it described as a major contributor to jobs, communities and Australia’s skilled workforce.
“The Coalition’s plan to further cut international student numbers and restrict post-study work rights risks doing lasting damage to one of Australia’s great success stories,” Universities Australia chief executive Luke Sheehy said.
“We have been clear with all sides of politics: cutting international student numbers too hard comes with real consequences for Australia.”
“International education supports jobs and communities, helps build the skilled workforce we need and strengthens Australia’s relationships and standing around the world.”
“Restricting post-study work rights also risks making Australia less competitive for talented students and graduates at precisely the time we need more skilled people contributing to our economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Independent Higher Education Australia (IHEA) said it was disappointed with the Opposition’s “latest foray into the migration debate”.
“Clearly, all parties are ignoring the economic realities of their decisions with migration policy and international education,” said IHEA CEO Peter Hendy.
“Education is Australia’s largest services-based export; making swingeing cuts to our international student intake will have a significant negative effect on Australians’ economic prosperity,” said Hendy.
The Coalition’s plan goes well beyond international education, with wider goals to cut net overseas migration to 100,000 a year for the first two years before increasing it to about 160,000 in the fourth year, while keeping the permanent skilled migration program capped at 185,000 places a year.
The Coalition says the temporary migrant population would fall by about 650,000 over four years — roughly one-third of “core” temporary migrants, excluding visitors and New Zealanders.
The plan would also halve the humanitarian intake to 10,000 places a year, while making no changes to family reunion visas.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor said the Coalition wanted to shift Australia towards a more skills-focused migration system.
“Under Labor, the numbers have been too high, and the standards have been too low. This has been a disaster for Australia,” said Taylor.
“We need skilled migration, not mass migration. We will prioritise migrants with the skills Australia needs, who share our values and are committed to contributing to our country.”
Senator Matt Canavan said the Coalition would end what he described as a “temporary guest worker class”.
“Labor has let too many people into our country,” said Canavan.
Shadow immigration minister Jonno Duniam said the Coalition would also tighten rules around people moving between temporary visas.
“A temporary visa should mean temporary. The system has become too easy to game, too easy to roll from one visa to another and too hard for the government to control,” said Duniam.
The Coalition’s announcement comes days after the Labor government enacted new rules meaning most international students will no longer be able to bring family members to Australia unless they fall within a limited group of exemptions.
