In South Australia, international education is the state’s top export earner, contributing $3.15 billion to the state’s economy, with a record 54,000 international student enrolments in 2023. International students and graduates play a vital role in meeting South Australia’s current and future workforce needs and stimulate the local economy, spending money with local businesses, providing a significant boost to the local tourism industry, and supporting part-time and casual workforce needs across a range of sectors.

Following the release of the Federal Government’s Draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework, Committee for Adelaide CEO Sam Dighton has written to the Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP, and other relevant Federal MPs, to express our concerns regarding the recent proposal to place a cap on international students.

Any notion of capping Australia’s international student intake poses serious reputational consequences for Australia’s international education industry. At a time when South Australia is embarking on the creation of Adelaide University, representing the nation’s largest change to higher education in more than three decades, it sends the wrong message to prospective international students, and visiting friends and family.

International students make a significant contribution to the national and local South Australian economy and should continue to be welcomed and celebrated. Rushing through legislation that would enable the capping of international students is not the answer and will pose dire economic and social consequences for our higher education sector.