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4 September 2024
Welcome to our latest edition of International Education News. This newsletter is for education, government, business and community professionals working in the international education sector.
In this edition: • Industry news and opportunities • Study NSW news and events
• Government programs and updates • Student spotlight • What's on
Industry news and opportunities
The National Planning Level 2025: What it means for you
On 27 August 2024, the Australian Government announced that a National Planning Level (NPL) will impose limits on the growth of international student programs each year. For 2025, new student commencement numbers for Australia’s universities will be set at around 2023 levels.
Register for the Department of Home Affairs virtual briefing for NSW providers
CRICOS-registered education institutions in NSW are invited to a virtual briefing on key Migration Strategy reforms affecting the Student visa program. This includes specific policy changes, case integrity and fraud, best practice recommendations, and agent management.
The briefing will be held on Wednesday, 25 September 2024, from 11:00am to 12:30pm AEST.
The new National Planning Level system - Key points
- Australia is a top global study destination and there have been large increases in the number of students choosing to study in Australia in recent years.
- To help Australia’s education and training providers manage this growth, a new size limit – called the National Planning Level (NPL) – will be set each year for international education programs.
- National Planning Level limits will apply across higher education and vocational education and training programs from 1 January 2025.
- This will help ensure that Australia’s education and training providers can continue to deliver high-quality programs, offer comprehensive student support services, and best prepare students for future employment in their chosen career.
- Across higher education and vocational education and training (VET) programs, a total of 270,000 new course commencements will be possible during the 2025 calendar year.
- This means that in 2025 there will be about the same number of international students starting a course in Australia as there were before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- There will also be similar numbers of international students studying in Australia’s public universities in 2025, as there were in 2023. Some universities will even welcome more new students in 2025 than in 2024.
- Overall, there will be more international students in Australian universities (around 15% more than before the pandemic) than in private vocational education and training (VET) providers (about 20 per cent fewer).
- All tertiary education and training providers, including universities and VET providers, will be given their own, individual National Planning Level limit for new international student course commencements.
- New commencement limits are now proposed for the 2025 calendar year, and new limits will be set each year.
- The Australian Government is not setting a limit on the proportion of international students at each university as compared to domestic students.
- Many international students will not be affected by the National Planning Level for 2025, including:
- Any current international students on a student visa in Australia.
- International students enrolled in an Australian transnational education or twinning program
- School students
- Higher degree by research students
- ‘Standalone’ ELICOS students
- Non-award students, including Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Australian Government sponsored (and partner sponsored) scholars – specific list TBC.
- Students from the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
- Australia offers a wide range of student support services and protections. A range of recent policy changes were made before the announcement of the NPL. These changes have further strengthened student protections. This means that education
and training providers must meet even stricter requirements before offering courses to international students.
- International students from all over the world are welcomed and valued in Australia. International students bring new ideas and skills to our society, diverse perspectives to our classrooms and communities, and sought-after talent to Australia’s workforce.
- Australia’s global campus offering will continue to include options for studying on campus at locations across Australia, online programs, transnational pathway and twinning programs, and Australian and partner provider campuses around the world.
Study NSW news and events
NSW Jobs Connect continues to engage employers
The award-winning NSW Jobs Connect for International Student Program continues to create impact. Study NSW, in partnership with SEEK, is hosting an exclusive event for NSW Jobs Connect employers on Wednesday, 9 October at Torrens University.
This event offers employers the opportunity to hear updates on the employment market from SEEK, engage with Study NSW, and connect with businesses across NSW.
Study NSW is off to Vietnam
The second NSW Education Showcase in ASEAN will be held this month in Vietnam. The Showcase will take place in Hanoi from Monday, 9 September to Wednesday, 11 September 2024, and in Ho Chi Minh City from Thursday, 12 September to Saturday, 14 September 2024.
Study NSW is supporting 33 education institutions and industry organisations from NSW to connect with transnational education partnerships, agents, parents and prospective students.
Diversify and access future students in LATAM
Expressions of interest are now open for NSW-based organisations to meet with prospective international students in Colombia, Chile and Peru. The Education Expo in LATAM 2024 will be held in:
- Bogota, Colombia on Saturday 26 October
- Santiago, Chile on Tuesday 29 October
- Lima, Peru on Saturday 2 November
Meet Study NSW at AIEC 2024
The full program for the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) 2024 is now available online. If you’re attending this year’s conference, don’t miss our session on Building a Career Future for International Students on Thursday, 24 October. Also, be sure to visit our Study NSW booth and say hello!
Government programs and updates
NSW startups get a new home away from home in Southeast Asia
Startups and innovators in NSW have new opportunities to grow and expand into lucrative Southeast Asian markets with the NSW Government inking new agreements with International Landing Pads in Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Connecting Western Sydney to the world
Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport has landed its first international airline, with Singapore Airlines confirming its intention to operate from the airport and connect Western Sydney passengers to the world.
With more than 80 per cent of the airport’s construction now complete, WSI is getting closer to take off, welcoming airlines and passengers from late 2026.
SXSW Sydney: Explore a new perspective at NSW House
Dive into a world where creativity and technology intersect at NSW House, returning to SXSW Sydney 2024 from 15 to 17 October.
NSW House provides a new perspective on the innovation, screen, gaming and music industries with a dynamic program of keynote discussions with industry leaders and immersive experiences. Explore the full program now!
Student spotlight
Rebecca chose NSW for its unique paramedicine program and laid-back lifestyle
A highlight of living in NSW is living by the beach and enjoying time in the sun. Compared to her experience working as a nurse in her homeland of Austria, Rebecca enjoys the laidback lifestyle and work life balance of NSW. In the future, Rebecca looks forward to settling in Australia and working as a paramedic.
“You can reach out to qualified education agents from your home country and watch lots of YouTube videos about life in Australia. Lastly, keep an open mind about other cultures.”
What's on
NSW Education Showcase in Vietnam
Monday 9 to Saturday 14 September 2024
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Register now
NSW Education Expo in LATAM
Saturday 26 October to Saturday 2 November 2024
Colombia, Chile and Peru
Learn more
Australian International Education Conference (AIEC)
Tuesday 22 to Friday 25 October 2024
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
Learn more
ISANA Conference
Wednesday 4 to Thursday 5 December 2024
Adelaide Convention Centre
Learn more
Let’s get social #StudyNSW
