The McGowan Government will invest an extra $4.5 million towards StudyPerth's International Education Action Plan, as part of the upcoming 2019-20 State Budget, helping to deliver on its plan to diversify the economy and create local jobs.
The plan will boost Western Australia's economy and provide opportunities for students, from around the world, to study and live in Perth by putting the State on the map as the number one destination for international students.
Implementation of the Government's strategy and the International Education Action Plan aims to attract an additional 16,000 students, bringing the total international student enrolments in Perth to an estimated 88,000 by 2022. This is expected to result in as much as $2.5 billion in State annual income and will generate about 15,500 jobs in the international education sector in WA by 2022.
This funding boost is in addition to the McGowan Government's investment of $2 million towards the five-year plan, aimed at growing its share of the international education market.
Together with Study Perth, the State Government is working with universities to co-ordinate its efforts of marketing Perth abroad and making it the best destination for students.
The McGowan Government is implementing its Graduate Skilled Migration List, which aims to attract the best and brightest international graduates with PhDs, Masters, Honours, Bachelors and other higher degrees to live and work in WA.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Perth is Australia's sunniest capital city, and has become one of the country's most idyllic destinations offering a vibrant city lifestyle that is surrounded by an incredible natural environment.
"With a quality education system, Perth is an exceptional place to learn and has opportunities on offer for people to launch their professional careers. We want to welcome more international students, their families and friends to our world-class city.
"We look forward to the education sector matching the State's commitment to leverage further students into WA.
"Let's remember there was no strategy to grow international student numbers or a plan to attract international students to WA when we came to office. My Government has been working hard to turn around the trends we inherited on international student numbers."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"Perth has outstanding learning facilities; we are a culturally diverse and welcoming community and we have a wide range of accommodation options for international students.
"Our State has a long, proud tradition in supporting international education and we are committed to enhancing the experience of international students studying at our education institutions.
"This investment will help boost Perth's reputation and ranking as a destination of choice, and help us grow our share of the international education market."
