3336. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Education and Training:
I refer to the Western Australian State Budget 2020–21, Page 397, about the Recruitment and Management of International Students which indicates the Government is confident the international student market will recover, and I ask, what information and/or advice is this expectation based on?
Hon Sue Ellery replied:
COVID-19 has significantly impacted international enrolments.
The Department of Training and Workforce Development is working with the lead agency for international education, the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI), and the Western Australian international education industry to develop and implement initiatives to attract international students to the State when the Australian border opens and it is safe to do so. This will not be ahead of Australians wanting to return.
TAFE International WA (TIWA) is working with the university sector, Department of Education, JTSI and StudyPerth to promote study opportunities and employability pathways for international students from secondary schools to TAFE and universities in Western Australia, when it is safe to do so.
TIWA has received positive feedback from International Education Agents that Western Australia is viewed as a safe destination for international students due to the State Government’s management of the pandemic and the State’s economy continuing to perform at the best rate in Australia, indicating positive trends in the employment market.