AUSTRALIA will once again place limits on the number of paid work hours international students are allowed to undertake while studying here.
Work restrictions were temporarily lifted in January to respond to the pandemic-triggered skills shortage.
The move to reinstate a cap on the amount of paid work students can do has been well received by educators in the higher education sector, though others are less excited and view the limits on employment as a retrograde step.
International students are an important part of Australia’s workforce.
Even before the pandemic, large numbers of international students were employed on a casual or part-time basis in Australia’s hospitality, tourism and retail sectors.
Historically, international student visas (sub-class 500) only allowed students to work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight.
The 40-hour limit was lifted in May last year, but only for students working in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
In January this year, then prime minister Scott Morrison extended the arrangements to all areas of the economy.
It meant international students were free to take on as much work as they could manage in the industry of their choosing.
At the time of announcing the change to working rights, the federal government explained the changes were temporary and would be reviewed within a few months.
And it warned students might be in breach of their visa conditions and their permit could be cancelled if they neglected to maintain course enrolments, did not show up to compulsory classes or failed to ensure satisfactory course progress.
This relaxation of international students’ working rights sparked a mixed response.
Many international students viewed the move as positive, arguing the opportunity to earn more and better cover the costs of accommodation and living expenses was a move in the right direction.
Yet some students felt they would run the risk of overworking themselves and falling behind in their studies.
They worried they would be pressured into working extra hours by employers desperate to have shifts covered.
Those who said ‘no’ to focus on their studies would be deemed by some employers as less reliable and uncommitted and might end up not receiving enough work.
Unsurprisingly, employers overwhelmingly viewed the announcement of increased availability of international students as a positive opportunity to address the skills shortage.
However, the Morrison government’s move to relax restrictions on working rights for international students triggered alarm bells for many in the higher education sector.
Higher education leaders warned the move would interfere with the main goal of international students: to complete their chosen course of study in a satisfactory manner.
They argued that the multiplying effect of having large numbers of work-focused international students failing to complete their degrees would almost certainly damage Australia’s reputation as a quality education provider.
Further, they warned long-term brand damage would result from using international students to deliver short-term labour gains.
Regardless of your view, things are set to change again. From July next year, the Albanese government will cap the number of hours international students can work.
The pledge has stakeholders guessing what the new cap will be; the government says it will find the right balance between work and study.
It also already has many employers wondering how they will fill skills gaps into the future, while some international students are concerned they may not be able to afford to live and study in Australia.
Many in higher education are most likely breathing a sigh of relief.
Despite the currently ambiguity around how many hours international students will be able to work from next July, the good news for businesses is they might soon have greater access to students who stay in Australia following completion of their studies.
Earlier this month, the government announced it would increase the duration of international students’ post-study work rights to strengthen the pipeline of skilled labour in the country.
Those in areas of verified skill shortages will be able to remain in Australia for between two and four years following completion of a bachelor’s degree, three to five years for some master degrees, and four to six years following select doctoral qualifications.
• Professor Gary Martin is chief executive officer of the Australian Institute of Management WA
