Australia's reliance on international students needs to be a "two-way street", the chair of a government taskforce aimed at strengthening the country's educational reputation said, after Prime Minister Scott Morrison told temporary visa holders to return home if they can't support themselves during the coronavirus pandemic.
Many of Australia's 570,000 after losing their casual jobs due to restrictions put in place to tackle COVID-19, with many also unable to return to their home country due to travel restrictions.
The international students bring approximately $39 billion per year into the economy, making it Australia's fourth-largest industry.
"Many of these students have got relationships, apartment leases and they've paid tuition fees, so they want to do this study or they'll be withdrawing their enrollment from a university or other provider at great cost to that provider," the chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia and head of the government taskforce Phil Honeywood told SBS News.
"Any country that decides that international education is going to become a major industry ... they need to be able to show that it's a two-way street. That in difficult times there is an acknowledgement that these young people do need help on a case by case hardship basis."
Addressing the media following a national cabinet meeting on Friday, Mr Morrison declined to comment on whether government support for international students was being considered and instead urged them to "return to their home countries" if they were unable to support themselves.
"All students who come to Australia in their first year have to give a warranty that they are able to support themselves for the first 12 months of their study," he said.
"Now, these visas, and those who are in Australia, under various visa arrangements, they are obviously not held here compulsorily. If they are not in a position to support themselves then there is the alternative for them to return to their home countries."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House on Friday. Source: AAP
While international students are required to show they have sufficient financial support for their first year in Australia, this same rule does not apply for any subsequent years. Many university degrees are three or four years in length, with international students also able to enrol in secondary degrees.
"We need to have a better conversation with the wider community about the incredible benefits international education is providing now, financially, and also into the future as well," Mr Honeywood said.
Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson has also urged the government to extend its supports for Australian students to the hundreds of thousands of international students across the country, many of whom are taxpayers.
“These students, like Australian students, have lost part-time work through no fault of their own," she said.
“We welcomed the decision to include Australian students in increased welfare payments and will seek the Government’s assistance in ensuring that our current international student cohort is given the support it requires.”
International students are currently permitted to work up to 40 hours a fortnight under the conditions on their visa, with some groups - including nursing students and grocery workers - able to extend their hours temporarily to assist with the pandemic response.
Fees from international students are the most significant source of revenue for Australia's major universities, which are now at risk of collapse due to a significant decrease in international enrollments.
“It’s in everyone’s interests that both Australian and international students can complete their studies as we face the challenge of COVID-19 together," Ms Jackson said.
Olena Nguyen from the Australian Federation of International Students told SBS News international students were already frustrated by the fact they have paid university fees in advance for the current semester, which has now been interrupted by the pandemic.
The organisation is calling for a 20 per cent reduction in fees due to the cancellation of in-person teaching and practical learning.
"International students contribute a lot to the Australian economy. For example, we pay very high tuition fees for the university," she said. "So during this critical time, international students should get support from the government."
Last week, the government announced it would be extending its COVID-19 stimulus package to Australian full-time students affected by the crisis, many of who were deeply affected by the closure of hospitality and retail businesses.
The last-minute decision will mean students on youth allowance, Austudy and Abstudy will have their welfare payments boosted by $550 a fortnight.
Earlier on Friday, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said the government needed to look at filling the gaps in welfare support, including international students.
"We need a bit of common sense here, we need to recognise that everyone, regardless of their circumstance, needs an appropriate level of support," he said.
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