Western Australia’s McGowan Government has provided a massive $41.2 million boost to support the state’s international education sector.
The investment also aims to diversify the WA economy as part of the 2022-23 State Budget.
International Education Minister David Templeman said in a statement:
“International education is an important economic sector for Western Australia and the McGowan Government is strongly committed to supporting the industry as it continues to reconnect with international partners.”
The additional funding has been allocated following extensive consultation with the sector.
This included roundtable discussions with the Premier, International Education Minister and key stakeholders.
Minister David Templeman added:
“We have consulted extensively with the international education sector over the past few months and have based this package on their input. The aim is to build a pipeline of future onshore international students, re-engage the international education agent network and provide financial support for the sector to ensure its continued growth.”
The newly announced package builds on existing incentives. The government had earlier announced the $195 million Reconnect WA package, which will also help in boosting international education in WA.
Priority areas in the package include building a pipeline of future onshore international education students, re-engagement of the international education agent network and providing financial support for sector recovery.
Other initiatives to be funded include:
- $1 million for the provision of a familiarisation program for key offshore stakeholders to visit and experience WA;
- $6.8 million for the continuation of the ELICOS Bursary and the International Student Accommodation Subsidy to attract international students to WA;
- $400,000 for the creation of a school support program to encourage international students studying within the schools’ sector to continue their student journey with a WA education provider;
- $3 million for the WA Technical and Vocational Education and Training Consortium to support the development of offshore opportunities and student pipeline creation;
- $4.5 million boosts to Study Perth, which ensures international students are welcomed and supported while studying in WA;
- $1.5 million to extend the global international education marketing campaign; and
- $8 million over four years for onshore and offshore staffing to implement the new initiatives.
A key plan also includes two new scholarship programs – the Premier’s University Scholarships and the Premier’s WA Certificate of Education Bursary.
The Premier’s University Scholarships, worth a total of $2 million over four years, will provide funding for 10 one-year scholarships valued at $50,000 each per annum to attract high-achieving international students to WA’s five universities.
A further $4 million over four years will be provided to implement the Premier’s WA Certificate of Education Bursary.
This will provide support of $20,000 per annum to 50 offshore WACE graduates from WA’s international partner schools.
Overseas education agents who enrol international students in a WA institution will be supported through a $10 million incentive package.
This will also aim to increase awareness of WA’s international education sector through the agent network.