Latest news with #TheUniversityofSydney
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First Post
05-08-2025
- Business
- First Post
Why does Australia want more foreign students a year after curbs? Who will benefit?
Australia is seeking to attract more international students, a year after a cap on enrolments. The Albanese government has decided to raise the limit on the number of foreign students by nine per cent to 2,95,000 from 2026, a jump from the current 2,70,000. Here's who will benefit read more Students walk past stalls during the orientation week at The University of Sydney, in Camperdown, Australia, February 15, 2023. File Photo/Reuters Australia wants more international students, a year after limiting enrolment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government on Monday (August 4) announced that it will increase its cap on foreign students by nine per cent to 295,000 next year. The move is set to benefit students from Southeast Asia, who will reportedly be given preference. This comes after Australia slashed enrolments in 2024 due to record migration. Then why is Australia increasing the cap on foreign students now? We will explain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Australia to raise foreign student cap Australia is lifting its cap on foreign students from next year to 295,000, a jump from the current 270,000. An addition of 25,000 placements will be offered for universities in 2026, with applicants from Southeast Asia being prioritised, reported Reuters. Around two-thirds of places will be up for grabs in universities and one-third in the vocational skills training sector. Universities can apply to have their allotments increased if they can show that domestic and international students have 'access to safe and secure housing' and enrol more students from Southeast Asia to raise their individual allocations, as per the report. This comes amid the Australian government's efforts to boost relations with Southeast Asia — its strategic partner — and reduce the country's economic dependence on China. Australia is one of the top destinations for international students. File Photo/Reuters It was important 'for Australia's future soft power that we continue to bring the best and brightest from our (Southeast Asian) neighbours to have a bit of Australia with them for the rest of their life,' Australian International Education Assistant Minister Julian Hill told national broadcaster ABC. The cap does not apply to international students who shift from secondary schools in Australia to publicly funded universities or TAFE (technical and further education). Why Australia curbed foreign student enrolment in 2024 In 2024, the Labor government introduced caps on foreign student numbers to 270,000. To curb migration, Australia also more than doubled the visa fee for international students to A$2,000 (approximately Rs 1.14 lakh) and slowed visa processing. This came as some claimed that record levels of migration led to a surge in housing prices. Ahead of this year's May elections, the Albanese government aimed to improve housing affordability and ease the cost-of-living crisis. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'What this means is next year there will be about the same number of international students starting a course here as there were before the pandemic,' Education Minister Jason Clare had said last August. 'There'll be more in our universities and there'll be fewer in our private vocational providers.' Australia had granted roughly 600,000 student visas in the 2023 financial year, as overseas students flooded the country after the pandemic. The country received more than 257,000 student visa applications in 2024-25, with just over 234,000 granted, reported, citing Department of Home Affairs data. What's behind the change now? Education is Australia's fourth biggest export, with the country seeing one of the highest numbers of international students globally. Foreign students boost Australia's economy. They shell out nearly twice as much as Australian students on average, propping up some institutions and domestic study fees, as per BBC. Australia's international education sector is worth A$50 billion to the economy each year and provides a quarter of a million jobs. It contributed over A$51 billion to the economy in 2024. Last year, Australia's top eight universities had criticised the government's proposed caps on foreign enrolments, saying they are 'reliant' on international student fees. For example, foreign students make up over 40 per cent of the revenue of the University of Sydney. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Australia's largest source of international students is China and India. Now, Australia is back to accepting more international students. Education Minister Clare acknowledged that the international education sector is an 'incredibly important export' to Australia, but added that its growth has to be managed to ensure its sustainability. 'International education doesn't just make us money, it makes us friends. This is about making sure international education grows in a way that supports students, universities and the national interest. 'The new planning level gives the sector certainty to continue delivering a high-quality educational experience to international students, while addressing national priorities,' he said. The government's crackdown on migration was 'bearing fruit', allowing for a modest increase in the cap in 2026, International Education Assistant Minister Hill said. 'The numbers were growing out of control. The government has taken tough decisions over the last 12 months, not always loved by the sector, to get the numbers down and get them to a more sustainable footing,' he told ABC. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Universities Australia hailed the 'sensible' hike in places. 'Universities have called for growth in this critically important sector, and the government has honoured this,' CEO Luke Sheehy was quoted as saying by Reuters. With inputs from agencies
Japan Today
31-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Australia wipes $10 billion off student loans, targeting cost of living relief
FILE PHOTO: Students walk past stalls during the orientation week at The University of Sydney, in Camperdown, Australia February 15, 2023. By Christine Chen Australia's parliament on Thursday passed a law to cut student loans by 20%, wiping more than A$16 billion ($10.31 billion) in debt for 3 million people, and fulfilling a key election promise to help mitigate the rising cost of living. The law is the first passed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor Party since being re-elected in May with one of the country's largest-ever majorities. 'We promised cutting student debt would be the first thing we did back in parliament – and that's exactly what we've done,' Albanese said in a statement. 'Getting an education shouldn't mean a lifetime of debt.' Education Minister Jason Clare said the measure would help 'take a weight' off the backs of young people. 'Young Australians don't always see something for them on the ballot paper, but they did this year and they voted for it in their millions,' he said at a press conference. 'And we're repaying now the trust that these young Australians have placed in us.' Millennials and Generation Z made up 43% of the 18 million people enrolled to vote in Australia's May general election, outnumbering Baby Boomers. Seizing on the generational shift, Labor made cutting student debt a key election promise, framing it as a measure to ease living costs and tackle intergenerational inequality. The government said reducing student loans by one-fifth was equivalent to more than A$16 billion in debt relief for three million Australians. It would mean a university graduate with an average loan of A$27,600 would have A$5,520 wiped, the government said, adding the changes would be backdated from June 1, 2025, before the loans were indexed 3.2% for inflation. The law would also raise the minimum repayment threshold from an income of A$54,435 to A$67,000, reducing the amount low-income earners would have to pay. © (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025.
The Star
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Australia wipes $10 billion off student loans, targeting cost of living relief
FILE PHOTO: Students walk past stalls during the orientation week at The University of Sydney, in Camperdown, Australia February 15, 2023. REUTERS/ Stella Qiu/File Photo SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's parliament on Thursday passed a law to cut student loans by 20%, wiping more than A$16 billion ($10.31 billion) in debt for 3 million people, and fulfilling a key election promise to help mitigate the rising cost of living. The law is the first passed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor Party since being re-elected in May with one of the country's largest-ever majorities. 'We promised cutting student debt would be the first thing we did back in parliament – and that's exactly what we've done,' Albanese said in a statement. 'Getting an education shouldn't mean a lifetime of debt.' Education Minister Jason Clare said the measure would help 'take a weight' off the backs of young people. 'Young Australians don't always see something for them on the ballot paper, but they did this year and they voted for it in their millions,' he said at a press conference. 'And we're repaying now the trust that these young Australians have placed in us.' Millennials and Generation Z made up 43% of the 18 million people enrolled to vote in Australia's May general election, outnumbering Baby Boomers. Seizing on the generational shift, Labor made cutting student debt a key election promise, framing it as a measure to ease living costs and tackle intergenerational inequality. The government said reducing student loans by one-fifth was equivalent to more than A$16 billion in debt relief for three million Australians. It would mean a university graduate with an average loan of A$27,600 would have A$5,520 wiped, the government said, adding the changes would be backdated from June 1, 2025, before the loans were indexed 3.2% for inflation. The law would also raise the minimum repayment threshold from an income of A$54,435 to A$67,000, reducing the amount low-income earners would have to pay. ($1 = 1.5516 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Straits Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Australia wipes $10 billion off student loans, targeting cost of living relief
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Students walk past stalls during the orientation week at The University of Sydney, in Camperdown, Australia February 15, 2023. REUTERS/ Stella Qiu/File Photo SYDNEY - Australia's parliament on Thursday passed a law to cut student loans by 20%, wiping more than A$16 billion ($10.31 billion) in debt for 3 million people, and fulfilling a key election promise to help mitigate the rising cost of living. The law is the first passed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor Party since being re-elected in May with one of the country's largest-ever majorities. 'We promised cutting student debt would be the first thing we did back in parliament – and that's exactly what we've done,' Albanese said in a statement. 'Getting an education shouldn't mean a lifetime of debt.' Education Minister Jason Clare said the measure would help 'take a weight' off the backs of young people. 'Young Australians don't always see something for them on the ballot paper, but they did this year and they voted for it in their millions,' he said at a press conference. 'And we're repaying now the trust that these young Australians have placed in us.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Trump says US will set 15% tariff on South Korean imports under new deal Business US Fed holds rates steady despite Trump's pressure, with two governors dissenting Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Singapore $10 million Toto results to be announced on July 31, after no winners in last 3 draws World Canada to recognise Palestinian state at UN General Assembly: Carney Sport Ainslee Kwang, 14, becomes first Singaporean diver to qualify for World Aquatics C'ships semi-finals Multimedia Firefly-inspired light show at Gardens By The Bay's Supertree Grove Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Millennials and Generation Z made up 43% of the 18 million people enrolled to vote in Australia's May general election, outnumbering Baby Boomers. Seizing on the generational shift, Labor made cutting student debt a key election promise, framing it as a measure to ease living costs and tackle intergenerational inequality. The government said reducing student loans by one-fifth was equivalent to more than A$16 billion in debt relief for three million Australians. It would mean a university graduate with an average loan of A$27,600 would have A$5,520 wiped, the government said, adding the changes would be backdated from June 1, 2025, before the loans were indexed 3.2% for inflation. The law would also raise the minimum repayment threshold from an income of A$54,435 to A$67,000, reducing the amount low-income earners would have to pay. REUTERS
The Irish Sun
20-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
I'm raising my toddler on a desert island… he loves daily swims & crab hunting, but it's not easy when he's sick
WALKING along the island's crystal-clear shoreline, my partner Heinrich and I smiled as our two year old excitedly pointed to a blue starfish. But we weren't on holiday – we were enjoying our morning walk, because we are the only residents of Advertisement 4 Ruby Holmes is raising her son Lukas on One Tree Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef 4 Ruby and her partner Heinrich are station managers and the island's only residents In October 2019, Heinrich and I moved here after a friend sent us details of two job vacancies for research station managers to host visiting researchers. I'd grown up near the coast in Australia and had a degree in marine biology, while Heinrich had worked as a free diver on a remote island, so we were excited to learn we'd both been successful in our interviews. When we arrived, I was blown away by the beauty. Advertisement We had to go six weeks without a food delivery Surrounded by clear ocean, 100km from the mainland and 20km from the nearest island, it felt like our own paradise. We'd been working in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga on boats, so it was great to have more space to explore nature and not feel so confined. But when the Covid pandemic struck a few months later, it felt very isolating. We had to go six weeks without a food delivery, and while we were prepared so didn't go hungry, I was craving texture after weeks of eating frozen fruit and veg. Then, in 2021, our island life was left in jeopardy when I became pregnant, as children weren't then allowed to live on One Tree. Advertisement UK's loneliest school on remote island offers free accommodation & £41k salary - but you have a long way to get there Luckily, The University of Sydney, which manages the station, put a child policy in place. So, we left the island to give birth and returned with our baby three months later. We questioned if we were doing the right thing, but Lukas adores his daily swims and kayaking with Heinrich. Of course, having a baby presented a whole new set of challenges. Our days start earlier, as Lukas loves a 5am wake-up, but the sunrises over the reef are so beautiful that we now adore going for an early morning family walk. Advertisement New challenges He enjoys looking for crabs and likes the porcupine rays. One night, I even found a mother green sea turtle in our front room! People assume our life is easy, but it's not always. Just before Lukas turned two, he caught scarlet fever from a researcher. Thankfully, we were able to talk to a doctor on the phone and use antibiotics we keep in our locked medical kit. Advertisement Work-wise, we are constantly on call, and because we both work full-time we have an au pair living with us to help with Lukas. 4 Ruby says Lukas adores his live on the island 4 One Tree Island is surrounded by clear ocean, 100km from the mainland and 20km from the nearest island Of course, Heinrich and I argue, but we have great communication skills, which is important when you live and work in close proximity. We also respect each other's space – I love to do workouts to blow off steam, while Heinrich has his workshop he can retreat to. Advertisement We can't always get deliveries, so we plan food, medical supplies, fuel, you name it. Unpredictable weather We order groceries fortnightly, which come by barge to Heron Island, which can be a two-hour boat trip for us, depending on the weather. There's no dash to the store for late-night snacks, which means we eat pretty healthily! The unpredictable weather can be stressful, and while we've not had a major cyclone, there are evacuation plans in place. We have satellite phones and internet, but we can't just pop over to visit family and friends, who we miss. Advertisement I don't worry about Lukas socialising, because researchers sometimes bring children with them and friends and family do visit. We also try to get off the island three times a year, and go on holidays. For now, we plan to have Lukas We feel so lucky to be bringing him up in a simple way without television or tablets. Hopefully, this experience stays with Lukas and he always remembers the remote paradise we were lucky enough to call home.' Advertisement
