Graduates are the new Australians we need,  says the IRU

Australia suffers by separating immigration and international education policies, the Innovative Research Universities argue in a submission to a Commonwealth Parliament committee inquiry into skilled migration.

“Attaining a qualification from an Australian university or other provider is a positive outcome for a person in demonstrating their relative standing for skilled immigration visas,” the IRU argues.

“Hence, there should be a pathway that allows international students to apply for residence and citizenship, with decisions based on national policy and the relative standing of applicants at the time. This would not create the right for places but the legitimate potential to apply.”

The lobby compares Australia’s “rigorous separation between its international education policy and its migration policy” with the practise of New Zealand and Canada.

With immigration on COVID-19 caused hold, the skilled migration intake for 2021 should “pay particular attention” to applicants already here, including international students who have completed degrees. “Some of these graduates face an uncertain option for returning to their home countries,” the IRU suggests.