Grievance Debate

International Students

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:16): I rise today to speak on South Australian international student numbers and the challenges that this state is facing in the area. In the Auditor-General's Report handed down yesterday I note that fees from international students to the University of SA have remained relatively consistent over the last four years as a result of fee increases to offset falling numbers of international students.

Revenue from fee-paying overseas students represents about 16 per cent of total revenue for the university, which represents $91 million to the economy. The student load at that particular university dropped by 16 per cent, and the Auditor-General's Report also showed that fees from overseas students increased by 16 per cent to $50 million at Flinders University with 9 per cent growth in international student numbers together with price increases.

Attracting international students is a vital service within the export sector for this state and even more important given that South Australia's merchandise exports in the 12 months to August 2015 are down by 6.3 per cent, or $771 million. South Australia's international student numbers increased by 8.5 per cent from 2013 to 2014 to 30,726 enrolments, and this is a step in the right direction.

However, when you compare South Australia to the rest of the nation the state's growth in international student numbers is extremely modest—in fact, the lowest in mainland Australia. Victorian international student numbers grew by 14.63 per cent; Queensland, 12 per cent; New South Wales, 11.9 per cent; and Western Australia, 9 per cent.

The fact is that South Australia must boost its international market share to assist in reinvigorating the economy in what is the state's largest service export sector. The other states have put their foot on the accelerator, and I note that it has been reported that Western Australia is looking at providing virtually fee-free study in Western Australian universities for Chinese students.

The market is highly competitive and it is about how we respond to the challenges presented to us so that we can continue to attract great minds from overseas that contribute richly to our state's economy. Now there is no doubt that South Australia is a great place to live and, coupled with world-class university offerings, also a great place to study.

Whilst on a recent study tour of Japan I met a young woman who epitomises the positive advertising medium that international students can become for South Australia. The young girl who calls South Australia her second home claims that, along with the outstanding education she received whilst in Adelaide, the safety and lifestyle were the key factors in her glowing review of South Australia.

Additional to the benefits that international students who return to their country of origin bring, those who come to study and stay to work in South Australia become incredibly valuable threads in the tapestry of our economy and cultural landscape. A recent Study Adelaide survey revealed that, of 1,200 students canvassed from 65 countries, 45 per cent intended to stay in Adelaide once they had obtained their qualification.

I was quite surprised given the importance of international education and the fact that this sector contributes around $1 billion a year to the state's economy. It seems unfathomable that this area does not receive the support it so desperately deserves. There have been further initiatives to attract overseas students to our state in the past 12 months, but when you look at what the other states are doing, we are certainly behind the eight ball.

The main body responsible for promoting the city's education offerings internationally, Education Adelaide, was at one stage earmarked to have all state government funding cut, but this funding was partially reinstated during the 2014 election campaign following an uproar by the opposition, industry and the public in general. At the announcement of the 2015-16 state budget, the state government committed $5.7 million to a new program called Destination Adelaide to support the development and growth of the state's education industry through a coordinated suite of measures to market education opportunities here in South Australia.

While a funding commitment is welcome, it remains to be seen as to whether this program is adequate to boost the state's international student growth on par with the likes of Victoria and Queensland. Also, keep in mind the state Liberal Party committed $2 million per year to Education Adelaide at the 2014 election and the Labor government fell 15,000 students short in its goal to attract 45,000 international students to the state by 2014.

Thinking back to the young Japanese woman I met and the strong ambassadorial role she now has for South Australia, there is no doubt we need to entice more international students into this unforgettable experience, but without adequate state government support this remains an uphill battle.