Some 61% of voters view international students as major drivers of economic growth while more than two thirds – some 68% – recognise the integral role they play in filling the country’s skills gaps.

The findings come from the polling of 1,508 voters in battleground electorates with major universities campuses or home to large international student populations.

The majority of respondents – some 75% – agreed that students who stay in Australia post-graduation contribute to the country’s skilled workforce and economic growth.

Polling took place between June 27 and July 8 in 11 constituencies across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

A few weeks later, government passed legislation in the lower house to restrict international student numbers, with the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 now with the Senate for consideration.

“Last year, international students accounted for more than half of Australia’s GDP growth,” said Universities Australia on publication of the results.

Last year, international students accounted for more than half of Australia’s GDP growth

Universities Australia

“The sector is worth almost AUD$50 billion to our economy and supports around 250,000 jobs. Universities also use the income generated by international student fees to reinvest in teaching, campus infrastructure and research in the face of declining government funding.”

The peak body firmly believes that a limit on international enrolments “puts this all at risk”, and will add to damage done by visa processing issues that have plagued the sector in recent months.

Universities Australia partly blames a 23% drop in visa grants in the past year on the introduction of ministerial direction 107 – the framework that gives priority to students applying to low-risk institutions, meaning their visas will be processed faster.

The directive came into effect in December 2023 and has since slowed visa processing and caused a surge in visa cancellations, something that education minister Jason Clare acknowledged last week at the AFR higher education summit.

Clare also signalled that incoming caps are set to replace ministerial direction 107.

It is expected that the education minister will release long-awaited details on Australia’s cap on international student enrolments next week.

Universities Australia estimates that caps could cause a $4.3billion hit to the economy, costing the university sector alone over 14,000 jobs, with further ripple effects for smaller businesses which often rely on international students.

The polling showed that voter opinion was mixed when it comes to impact the cap could have on sector jobs. While the majority of voters said they believe it will negatively impact the quality of education received by Australian students and on university research and innovation.

Those intending to vote Green or Labour signalled the strongest backing of international students, followed by those voting for the Coalition, with 52% of voters generally seeing international students as a positive for the country.

Of those polled who intend to vote for other parties or candidates, 43% saw international students in a positive light.

Other key findings showed that 51% of those polled said they believe incoming caps would have a positive impact on housing affordability.