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Employment and skills | 24 February 2023
24 Feb 2023
Universities Accord
This week the Universities Accord discussion paper was released for comment, see here. The Accord was announced last year and is undertaking a wide-ranging review of the entire university sector. We anticipate that one of the outcomes of the review will recommendations on the costs of courses (particularly those impacted by the previous government’s Job Ready Graduate program), a long-term target for participation focusing on equity of access and opportunity, work integrated learning and better VET connections. ACCI will be providing a submission, with a draft to be circulated to Employment & Skills Committee members.
Migration Update
This week the government announced an increase to post-study work rights for international graduates of select degrees from July 1. This was a commitment made following the Jobs and Skills Summit, the details of which were developed after advice from a working group. Throughout this process, ACCI engaged with government and the working group expressing our views that the measure should be available widely, and that it should apply to those who currently hold a temporary graduate visa, not just future visa holders. In positive news this has been implemented, with current visa holders having access to a visa extension. Further information is available here.
The government also announced a decision in relation to the amount of hours that student visa holders would be permitted to work. Currently, the hours are unrestricted, which was a temporary measure to assist with labour and skills shortages. From 1 July, a cap will be reintroduced. However, this will not revert to the previous level of 40 hours a fortnight, with an increase to 48 hours a fortnight.
It is a difficult balance between ensuring the integrity of the international education system, ensuring students have enough income to cover living expenses given the increase in cost of living, and ensuring businesses have enough access to labour in the current workforce shortage environment. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil’s office indicated that it is an area they would be open to continue engagement on as the migration review progress, i.e. as part of any package of work regarding visa settings for international education.
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