The Hon Alan Tudge MP Minister for Education and Youth recently spoke at the RMIT campus and shared his views on international education, also marking the formal launch of the consultation process to develop the new International Education Strategy for 2021 to 2030.

He emphasized on the contribution of international education sector on the economic growth of Australia and the impact due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Touching upon the roadmap for the next 6-12 months, he mentioned that while the situation is unpredictable, there is an optimistic view that international students might be allowed back into Australia for the first semester of 2022. 

He applauded the pivot by major universities to digital learning but also highlighted the key objectives of international education and the contribution of diversity through international students towards fulfilment of these objectives.

The Australian Government’s commitment to expanding the role of international education in the post COVID-19 world will boost economic growth, foster foreign diplomacy and contribute to Australia’s national security.

"The impact of COVID-19 has forced universities to rethink business models and with large numbers of international student arrivals not anticipated until Semester 1 2022, it is critical that the government and higher education sector work together to develop a model that maintains our competitive advantage in international education and research, while ensuring Australia has the skills and expertise required to meet our national priorities,” said The Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson.

View The Hon Alan Tudge MP's address here.

View the Media Release from The Group of Eight here.