Australia has announced measures to help the country's international education sector "roar back", the government has said, with more than $37 million pumped in for providers most affected by Covid-19 and an extension for some post-study work rights.
Prospective international students continue to be driven towards study destinations offering on-campus learning, post-study work opportunities and pathways to migration, fresh research has suggested.
Australia's federal minister for Education Dan Tehan said the government is considering relaxing rules around post study work visas for international students impacted by Covid-19.
The UK Home Office has confirmed that international students will remain eligible for post-study work rights upon graduation if they begin their studies online in the next academic year.
One of the strongest indicators of post-study employment is whether a student worked during their studies according to a new lEAA survey. But mismatches between employment and graduates' skills mean Australia is not fully benefiting from its PSWR scheme.
The majority of international graduates who chose to pursue Australia’s post-study work visa secure full-time work, however, less than half end up working in a role related to their field.
While the UK sector has rejoiced at the UK's announcement to re-introduce PSW rights, some stakeholders have confirmed that they have been "inundated" by students wondering if they are eligible and some of those were considering moving their start date in order to benefit.
UK home secretary Sajid Javid has called for post-study work restrictions on international students to be lifted, arguing that the six-month limit undermines Britain’s universities and harms the country’s search for global talent.
