Alarmed universities say only half the visas of their enrolled international students have been processed with just weeks until semester two, in what some institutions believe is more evidence of the government suppressing foreign arrivals due to a political fight over migration.
“It has a significant financial impact, obviously – not just on the university, but on the local community,” Todd said.Charles Sturt University pro vice-chancellor Mike Ferguson said parts of the sector were seeing similar trends to the lead-up to semester one, when many enrolled students missed the start date, and the current volume of outstanding visas created further uncertainty for providers.
Labor and the Coalition are facing off over migration before the next federal election as both link the post-pandemic international student surge to a shortage of housing.