The government in Western Australia has announced it will inject $13.1m into the province’s international education sector.
The funding will aim to build on last year’s $41.2m investment in last year’s State Budget.
$6m of the revealed budget will be spread over two years to help showcase “the State’s world class education and training providers”, as well as job opportunities and the state’s “strong” economy.
Crucially, in the midst of an accommodation crisis, part of another $5.5m for international student support will extend existing subsidies for one-off $1,500 payments assisting with accommodation, under the International Student Accommodation Subsidy.
It will also extend funds for the existing ELICOS Bursary.
The rest of that $5.5m will be put towards grants for international students who are commencing their studies in Western Australia.
“As Western Australia is on track with the recovery of international student enrolments, the State Government is focusing on delivering student support, while sustainably growing the student pipeline.
“It is important we provide international students arriving in our State with a safe and welcoming environment for them to flourish in,” said international education minister David Templeman.
The news comes as Mark McGowan, the state’s premier, conducts a trade mission to China to discuss exchanges in various sectors, including in international education.
“The State Government is focusing on delivering student support”
“The potential of the Chinese market for Western Australia’s international education sector and economy is significant and we need to ensure our State is well positioned among its competitors,” McGowan said prior to leaving for the official trip on April 16.
Chinese students make up 12% of the state’s international student enrolment numbers, making it the state’s second largest market for international students.
“I look forward to sharing what sets Western Australia apart as a study destination, including our sector’s strong signs of recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic,” McGowan added.
Western Australia’s international student numbers were up 10% at the end of the 2022 compared to 2021, but have yet to reach the height of 2019 numbers, according to Austrade’s recently released Year in Review.
The remaining $1.5m that the state budget is allocating to international education efforts will be provided over four years to “support implementation” of the state’s international education initiatives.
Australia as a whole welcomed more than 620,000 international students in 2022.
