- $13.1 million investment in Western Australia's international education sector funded in 2023-24 State Budget
- New package includes international student support and destination marketing programs
- Latest funding brings total spend on international education over four years to $75.4 million
- Premier's upcoming official visit to China to support mutually beneficial exchanges in trade and investment across a range of sectors, including international education
The McGowan Government will provide a major boost to Western Australia's international education sector to attract students from overseas and further diversify the State's economy.
Building on the success of the Government's $41.2 million investment in the sector as part of the 2022-23 State Budget, Premier Mark McGowan today announced $13.1 million in new funding to support student welfare and continue developing a sustainable pipeline of future students, ahead of departing for a historic trade mission to China.
The trade mission is the first official visit to China in four years, and will focus on supporting mutually beneficial exchanges in trade and investment across energy, resources, international education, aviation and science and innovation.
The funding boost in the 2023-24 State Budget recognises the importance of the international education sector to WA's economy, including the benefits of further diversification and setting the State up for long-term success.
China continues to be WA's second-largest market for international students, accounting for 12 per cent of the State's total international student enrolments in 2022.
In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 8,378 Chinese students were enrolled at WA education providers. At that time the international education sector and its flow-on benefits generated $2.1 billion for the State and supported around 12,000 full-time jobs.
Growth of the sector and diversification of international education markets has significant potential to increase these benefits and the associated number of local jobs.
To promote what sets WA apart as a study destination for international students, the new package includes $6 million in funding over two years to continue activities that globally showcase the State's world-class education and training providers, strong economy, wealth of job opportunities and desirable lifestyle.
A further $5.5 million will go towards grants to support international students commencing studies in the State, in acknowledgement of the importance of financial assistance for international students who choose to study in WA.
This funding extends the existing International Student Accommodation Subsidy and ELICOS Bursary. Both programs provide one-off $1,500 payments to eligible international students, assisting with accommodation, cost of living and course fees.
WA's international student visa arrivals were 9 per cent higher in January this year than they were in January 2019. This is in contrast with Australia as a whole, for which international student visa arrivals were 34 per cent lower in January 2023 than they were in January 2019.
The upcoming State Budget will also provide $1.6 million over four years to support the implementation of the Western Australian Government's international education initiatives.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Tonight I leave for my first official trip to China in four years.
"The potential of the Chinese market for WA's international education sector and economy is significant and we need to ensure our State is well positioned among its competitors.
"I look forward to sharing what sets Western Australia apart as a study destination, including our sector's strong signs of recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic."
As stated by International Education Minister David Templeman:
"Our commitment to this important sector is part of the McGowan Government's diversification plans to further strengthen the WA economy for the long-term.
"As Western Australia is on track with the recovery of international student enrolments, the State Government is focusing on delivering student support, while sustainably growing the student pipeline.
"It is important we provide international students arriving in our State with a safe and welcoming environment for them to flourish in.
"The impact international students have on Western Australia is far reaching. From sharing diversity in knowledge and cultural experiences, to participation in our community and local workforce."
