Australia’s recent policy to limit international students to 48 working hours per fortnight has led to financial hardships and limited job opportunities in their field of study.
Australia’s recent policy to limit international students to 48 working hours per fortnight has led to financial hardships and limited job opportunities in their field of study.
Australia is experiencing a notable increase in the number of international students arriving in the country, but the recent reintroduction of a cap on student working hours has raised significant concerns within this demographic. As some experts reveal, striking a balance between regulation and recognizing the valuable contributions of international students to Australian society remains a crucial point of discussion.
International students are now constrained to working only 48 hours per fortnight, a policy change that has resulted in financial challenges and unfulfilled potential, according to affected students.
Gabriela*, an international student pursuing a career in industrial design, lost her job directly due to this policy change. She advises prospective students to be prepared for the hurdles they may face. Despite Australia’s picturesque promotional materials, Gabriela contends that the country’s portrayal does not align with the true job prospects for international students.
Rising numbers
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals a substantial increase of 21,150 international students in June 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. This trend underscores the growing significance of international education, a sector valued at AUD 40 billion (USD 25.78 billion) before the pandemic.
Catriona Jackson, Executive Director of Universities Australia, praises the cultural, social and economic contributions that international students bring to the nation.
However, students like Gabriela and another international student, Abigail Ildefonso, argue that the work restrictions are unfair and place significant financial burdens on them. Ildefonso pointed out: “Aside from school fees, I’m paying for our private health insurance, which amounts to roughly AU$20,000 ($12,890) since I have a son and a husband.”
In response to these concerns, the Support Network for International Students has launched a ‘Scrap the Cap’ campaign with the goal of lifting these working restrictions. Ness Gavanzo, the group’s coordinator, highlights the essential roles international students played during the pandemic in critical jobs, stating: “This is when these international students demonstrated their ability to balance working more than 40 hours while maintaining their studies.”
Declining opportunities
Gabriela, who had previously studied in Australia a decade ago, returned this year when work restrictions were relaxed. However, with the re-imposition of work limitations, she lost her job and has since only secured employment in the hospitality sector. She expresses disappointment at the limited opportunities in her professional field and believes Australia is underutilizing the talent of skilled international students.
Australia now joins countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany in implementing work restrictions on international students, each with its own set of rules. Gabriela has chosen to remain in Australia, citing concerns about the weather and health conditions in other countries.
*Name has been changed to protect identity.
