‘Not our fault’: The students having second thoughts about Destination Australia

Detailed summary

As populism gains traction and international students become political hot potatoes, the $54 billion university industry is in trouble.

Magdiel Silva Da Luz has a job, a partner and an almost-complete master’s of strategic communications.

“I would definitely think twice,” the Brazilian international student said.

Silva Da Luz is not alone. Australia’s $54 billion international education industry is under siege as the world’s highest visa application fees, eye-watering degree costs for international students, the extraordinary cost of living, changes to work rights and a so-called “genuine student test” come together to undermine the appeal of an Australian education.

“When I arrived [in 2022], the situation was a bit more open for international students,” Silva Da Luz said. “Now it seems like it’s a bit more unstable, it feels a bit more insecure.”

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Sydney Morning Herald. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.