Western Australia announces a $13 million investment "boost"

Western Australia's government has announced a $13.1 million investment in the province's international education sector.

The funds will try to supplement last year's $41.2 million investment in the State Budget.

The $6 million budget will cover two years to highlight "the State’s world-class education and training providers”, as well as opportunities for employment and the state's "strong" economy.

Additionally, to face the accommodation shortage problem, a portion of the additional $5.5 million for international student support will be used to extend existing subsidies for one-time $1,500 payments assisting with housing under the International Student Accommodation Subsidy. 

It will also provide additional funding for the existing ELICOS Bursary.

The remaining $5.5 million will go towards grants for international students starting their studies in Western Australia.

The international education minister David Templeman says, “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 announcement comes while the state's leader, Mark McGowan, is on a trade mission to China to promote exchanges in several industries, including international education. 

Prior to leaving for the official trip on April 16, McGowan said, “The potential of the Chinese market for Western Australia’s international education sector and economy is significant, and we need to ensure our State is well positioned among its competitors”. 

Chinese students represent 12% of international student enrolments in the state, making it the state's second-largest market for international students.

“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,” McGowan added.

According to Austrade's recently released Year in Review, international student numbers in Western Australia were up 10% at the end of 2022 compared to 2021, but have yet to reach the peak of 2019. 

The remaining $1.5 million allocated to international educational endeavours in the state budget would be distributed over four years to "support implementation" of the state's international education objectives. 

In 2022, Australia as a whole welcomed more than 620,000 international students.