University of Melbourne strongly opposes cap on International students in Australia

Despite strong opposition from the university sector, the Australian government has recently announced a cap on international student enrolment. The University of Melbourne has released a statement on the same and said that it strongly opposed this cap.

Study in Australia: While reacting to the recent cap announced on international students' enrolment in Australia, the University of Melbourne's Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell has released a statement.

“The University of Melbourne received information about the indicative cap to be imposed on international students at the same time as the Minister was making his public announcement. We are now taking time to assess the financial and other implications of this cap. One of the first things we will have to do is seek clarity from the Government about the complex methodology that was used to inform their figures. This methodology was never discussed with us and there has been no consultation process, " said the Vice-Chancellor.

“The University remains strongly opposed to this cap on international student enrolments. It is staggering that we continue to have this debate while there is apparently no serious intent to address really major reform issues. There is no plan concerning abolishing Job Ready Graduates and replacing it with a new system to fund teaching that is fair to students and actually covers the cost to the University of teaching those students. We currently have to subsidise teaching costs," he added.

Cap will lead to detrimental consequences for University of Melbourne

“The cap on international students will have detrimental consequences for our University, the higher education sector generally, and the nation for years to come. The effects will be felt by students and staff, in terms of inadequate funding to teach and do research, and by industry partners, and there will also be negative effects on the broader economy," he said.

“Already, Ministerial Directive 107 and the increase in the visa charge have injected unprecedented uncertainty into our international recruitment activities. These unwelcome measures have drastically reduced demand, leading to significantly fewer enrolments, and significant financial losses, even before the announcement of the caps. International education is a prized national asset, contributing significantly to Australia’s social and diplomatic success, and something about which we should be proud," added the Vice Chancellor.

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