WA government to make international students (marginally) more welcome

The WA government has announced a graduate migration list, “to attract the best global talent with the advanced qualifications, skills and experience and help grow Western Australia’s share of the international education market.” According to Premier Mark McGowan, “we need to send a message to the world that we welcome international students.” That’s not the idea they are getting now –with international recruiters complaining the state government’s cutting occupations on its skilled migration scheme from 178 to18 impacted on enrolments by overseas students looking to settle after study.

The acceptable occupation cuts is not the only problem WA universities have attracting people to Perth but it has not helped a struggling market, Perth picks up just 6 per cent of international students.

Mr McGowan also says the new plan will not replace the Skilled Migration Occupation List, which quarantines many trades-positions and the new plan only applies to people with postgraduate qualifications.


Subscribe

to get daily updates on what's happening in the world of Australian Higher Education