International Students

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:24): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Can the minister advise the council of how the government is working with our education providers to grow the international education industry?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:24): I thank the honourable member for his ongoing interest. Before I start that question, earlier this week I was asked a question about the people who accompanied me on the trip to Japan and Korea. I gave a couple of names, which were correct, but I said I would get the other names because I didn't think I could do the pronunciation justice.

The others accompanying me were Ms Junfeng Zhu from the Department for Trade, Tourism and Investment, and Ms Judith Kottmann from the Department for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Also, up there on a fuel cell—for those opposite me, that is to do with hydrogen—conference from the Department for Energy and Mining were Mr Richard Day and Mr Owen Sharpe, who stayed on after the important work they were doing with that department to assist me in my meetings with officials around hydrogen in Japan and Korea.

The PRESIDENT: For future reference, I would prefer if you did that either on the next sitting day or at the end of the question time. Please continue with your answer now.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Thank you, Mr President. I thank the honourable member for his question. It has been 12 months since the Marshall Liberal team won government and already the international education industry is full of optimism and praise for our new government's ambition and positive attitude to this critical industry. According to the latest ABS data, international education remains the state's second-largest export industry, bringing in $1.62 billion, and in 2018 we saw a record 37,990 students welcomed to South Australia. This is a growth of some 6.5 per cent on the 2017 enrolments. It is no coincidence that our first year of government has seen such growth, as we have been working tirelessly to fulfil our election commitment to grow the industry.

We have increased funding to StudyAdelaide, as promised. We have doubled the Student Ambassador Program, as promised. We have established an international student work internship business experience program (AEWEN), as promised. Through these fulfilled commitments we have grown more international student enrolments in our state, as promised.

Another initiative was to establish the Ministerial Advisory Committee for International Education (MACIE). Through MACIE, my department and I have been in dialogue with universities and our key international education institutions on further measures that would attract more international students. Listening to industry, undoubtedly the single most effective measure the South Australian government could take to grow international students is an improved and fairer pathway to residency.

To fulfil our state's need for population growth, graduating international students are in many ways an ideal solution. In addition to paying their taxes, international student graduates are highly skilled and highly motivated to start their careers in our great state. They become ambassadors for South Australia in their home country, driving tourism from family and friends, as well as creating new markets for South Australian goods and services. That's why, earlier this month, Immigration SA introduced new measures to encourage our highest-performing international students to remain in South Australia post graduation and to deliver fairer state-sponsored requirements for those graduates who already have deep and long-term connections with our state.

In addition to these state measures, we have been working closely with the federal Liberal government on other policy measures. Announced yesterday is the new federal policy measure which will reward international students studying outside the largest Australian capital cities such as Melbourne and Sydney. South Australian universities and higher education institutions will be able to offer their international students an extra year of post study work rights.

This is a real game changer and something our universities have been crying out for for many years, as it closes the gap for international students wishing to apply for permanent residency in our state post graduation. Together with our new state measures, these changes bring a spotlight onto South Australia, making the state even more attractive for prospective international students.

This is a fabulous example of the Marshall Liberal government listening to industry, making changes and successfully advocating for our state at a national level to deliver what the industry needs. Our renewed advantage over other Australian states will undoubtedly drive further recruitment growth in international student numbers in South Australia, creating more jobs and growing a stronger economy.

The PRESIDENT: It is too late for a supplementary, the Hon. Mr Ngo. You can have the opportunity at the next question time in the subsequent sitting weeks.