International Students

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (8 April 2020).

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade and Investment): I have been advised:

1. Statistics obtained from the commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment show that as at 19 April 2020, there were 30,984 student visa holders in South Australia.

2. The exact arrival dates of international student visa holders to South Australia cannot be confirmed as a portion of the students may be in their second and third year of education. However, based on national data as at February 2020 we do know that there were approximately 9,000 new enrolments in programs in South Australia in 2020. Some of them may have arrived late in 2019 or transferred from another visa category.

3. The South Australian government has not provided subsidies to international students to travel to South Australia post pandemic declaration. Individual education institutions may have provided subsidies to international students to travel to South Australia, however that is a commercial matter between the institutions and the international students and has not been disclosed.

4. I am unable to advise how many international students are currently unable to return to their place of departure. However, with many international borders closed, it would be very difficult for students to return. Additionally, the terms and conditions of student visas require mandatory reporting of intentions to permanently cross borders, however that is a matter between the students, their education institutions and the Department of Home Affairs. The data is not publicly available.

5. Statistics obtained from the commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment show that as at 19 April 2020, there were 30,984 international student visa holders located in South Australia. The breakdown of international student visa holders across the different sectors as at 19 April 2020 was:

(a) Higher education sector—21,937

(b) Independent ELICOS sector—355

(c) Non-award sector—234

(d) Postgraduate research sector—853

(e) Schools sector—1,838; and

(f) Vocational education and training sector—5,767

The government has worked extensively with the international education sector through my Ministerial Advisory Committee for International Education (MACIE), to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on international students and to work toward understanding what assistance is needed by international students.

The government has also continued to work with StudyAdelaide to undertake whole-of-sector coordination in regard to the health and welfare of international students including daily COVID-19 updates, weekly newsletters, guidance regarding health and wellbeing services, care packages and accommodation options for students who may need to self-isolate, provision of virtual self-isolation packs and the promotion of online community events.

In recognition of the importance of this sector to our economy, the hardship faced by our international students and the efforts of our institutions to support them, the government has released its $13.8 million support package for international students in South Australia.

This package complements, not duplicates, the substantial support made available by our education institutions and indeed was developed in close consultation with them and MACIE.

Within 72 hours of the announcement of the International Student Support Package, more than 11,000 registrations for funding had been received.

6. I am unable to advise how many international students located in South Australia are below the age of 18. That information is not published by the commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment, the commonwealth Department of Home Affairs or the education institutions.