Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:03): My question is for the Minister for Higher Education. Last week I met with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in relation to their state budget submission. One of their policy ideas that they presented to me was to provide financial support to internationals students so that they can pick Victoria over other states and countries. We know that internationals students are vital to hold up our education sector but, as we have also seen, vital to our hospitality sector, vital for an injection of spending and vital to tourism. So my question is: what steps has the minister taken to incentivise internationals students to choose Victoria?
Ms Tierney: On a point of order, President, I thank the member for her ongoing interest in international students, but in terms of this particular question, I think it would be more of a question to Minister Pakula. As you know, he is responsible in the trade portfolio for international students, and I think that that would be a better fit.
The PRESIDENT: Ms Patten, on the question itself, do you want to divert it to Minister Pakula?
Ms PATTEN: Thank you, President. If the appropriate minister could pass that on.
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:04): I thank Ms Patten for her question and for her interest in this important area, in terms of both the educational opportunity it provides to so many people from around the world but also the very, very important role it plays in both the culture and the economic prospects and wellbeing of the state. We certainly look forward to having our international students return, and I look forward to providing her with a written response from Minister Pakula.
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:05): Thank you, Minister. If you could also pass on my supplementary: will the minister consider financial incentives to ensure that Victoria comes out on top as we emerge from COVID?
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:05): Yes, I will certainly seek a written response to that supplementary from Minister Pakula. He may take the opportunity to outline some of the things that we have done over the last couple of years to support international students and some of the work that is underway to make sure that they return. They have a terrific experience, and it continues to be a very important part of life here in Victoria.
Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Question without notice 10/3/22
Answer
A written response was ordered for both the substantive and supplementary questions. Written response received:
The Victorian Government is investing $50.9 million over four years (from 2021-22) to support Victoria’s international education sector to recover and return to growth in the long term. This builds on the Government’s 2020/21 State Budget investment of $33.4 million year to support the International Education Short-Term Recovery Plan.
Through these investments the Victorian Government is delivering programs such as the Pathway to Victoria Scholarships to incentivise students to study in Victoria and grow the state’s international student pipeline. Victorian universities and Victorian TAFEs have been funded to provide a total of 3,000 new international student scholarships worth $2,500 each.
To support Victorian universities to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, the Victorian Government is also delivering the $50 million International Education Resilience Fund. This fund is supporting universities to stabilise their current and future international students offerings, including through increased student support services and targeted student engagement activity in key markets.
Victoria has established Study Melbourne Hubs in key global locations to better support students studying online offshore with a Victorian provider and to engage with prospective students.
Since 15 December 2021, international students who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Through the International Student Arrivals Plan, the Victorian Government worked with universities to support approximately 400 high-priority students to travel to Victoria between December 2021 and January 2022 on facilitated flights.
The Victorian Government is also delivering a range of Study Melbourne programs and initiatives to welcome international students back to our communities and campuses. For example, the Study Melbourne Country to Coastprogram showcases Victoria’s regions, giving 750 international students a unique opportunity to participate in day excursions to explore the Grampians, Cape Otway and the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, the Macedon Ranges and Daylesford.
Hon Jaala Pulford MP
Minister for Small Business
