INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 2030INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HUB CONSULTATION PAPERAugust 2019

CONTENTSInternational education – LIVE, LEARN AND STAY .....................................................

International education fast facts ..................................................................................

The government’s agenda for South Australia ..............................................................

The importance of the international education sector .................................................

Actions to create outcomes ............................................................................................

Why we are consulting ..................................................................................................

What is our objective ......................................................................................................

What we have done so far ...............................................................................................

DTTI summary ...............................................................................................................

Timeline ..........................................................................................................................

Additional papers ...........................................................................................................

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Note: Unless otherwise stated, all figures are quoted in Australian Dollars.

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I nternational education is a key economic growth sector for South Australia. It is our state’s largest

services export and second largest general export following wine.

Although highly successful, there remains significant untapped potential in the international education sector; potential that must be realised if international education is to continue to be a sector of high growth and a meaningful driver of our state’s overall economic expansion growth.

This International Education 2030 Sector Plan has been developed through extensive consultation with international education stakeholders and the Ministerial Advisory Committee for International Education (MACIE). A committee, established by the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, ensures government is regularly and reliably informed about the international education sector and its opportunities.

The high quality of education and great liveability of our state offers an environment where international students can excel during their time of study and flourish following their graduation. With the assistance of targeted career and migration programs, South Australia will seek to attract international students and retain them post-graduation.

International students will recognise the exciting futures that remaining in our state could bring them, including an enviable lifestyle and significant opportunities to forge exciting careers.

Growing the number of international students who are proud to live, learn and stay in South Australia could be the game changer that drives the transformation of our state’s economy and contributes to the state’s population growth strategy.

South Australian businesses, including those in the premium food and wine, health and ageing, tourism, technology, defence, space and creative industries, will be important beneficiaries of our success in assisting the best and brightest of our international students to stay in South Australia.

To be globally competitive, these industries will rely on knowledge intensive business models, innovation and entrepreneurship. Alignment of our state’s international education sector with the skills needed by local businesses is crucial to achieving the ambitious growth targets to which our government has committed.

Our LIVE, LEARN and STAY approach will allow us to work with the international education sector to achieve ongoing and sustainable growth and to deliver benefits to be shared by our citizens and international students.

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 2030LIVE. LEARN. STAY.

International education fast factsInternational students from 130+ markets

South Australia’s second largest export

International education is an economic driver in South Australia

Driving the economy

Tourism Business Property

Driving jobs

• 12,500 International education related jobs in 2018

• 16,300 International education related jobs forecast by 2022

• 23,500 International education related jobs by 2030

Driving tourism

3.5 million international education-related overnight stays in South Australia during 2018 valued at $508 million

Top 10 markets

China 40%

India 15%

Hong Kong 5%

Vietnam 5%

Nepal 4%

Malaysia 4%

South Korea 3%

Kenya 2%

Japan 2%

Taiwan 2%

$1.9b

Wine

$1.0b

Wheat

$1.4b

Refined copper

$0.9b

Meat

$1.8b

International education

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A world-class education system

South Australia’s universities are

ranked within the top 2% of institutions in

the world

Highly competitive international VET

institutions including Australia’s largest

domestic VET provider

South Australia has the highest number of international student enrolments in schools per capita in Australia

South Australia’s international education capacity:

• 5 Universities

• 140 Public and private schools

• 30 Vocational Education and Training institutions

• 25 ELICOS institutions

• 13 Private higher education institutions Continued sustainable growth:

• 2014 - 30,700 enrolments

• 2015 - 32,000 enrolments

• 2016 - 34,000 enrolments

• 2017 - 35,700 enrolments

• 2018 - 38,000 enrolments

Over 25% growth in student enrolments in the last 5 years

Double enrolments – double value by 2030• 38,000 international student

enrolments worth $1.8 billion in 2018

• 49,000 international student enrolments forecast to be worth $2.0 billion by 2022

• 71,000 international student enrolments forecast to be worth $3.0 billion by 2030

Building a pipeline of intellectual capital for the state’s• Innovators

• Entrepreneurs

• Exporters

• Industries of the future

Ongoing investment in purpose-built student accommodation

• 8,000 purpose-built student accommodation options completed or in progress

• $500 million committed to purpose-built student accommodation construction

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THE GOVERNMENT’S AGENDA FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The agendaSouth Australia has set a target of three per cent annual economic growth and this will be led by increases in both exports and investment. International education is one of our state’s eight priority sectors and our largest service export. The international education sector will contribute to South Australia achieving its annual economic growth agenda which in turn will drive population growth.

The South Australian Government is investing in international education through a range of initiatives including the investigation of a new International Student Hub in our capital city of Adelaide, the establishment of an International Centre of Culinary Excellence, Hospitality and Tourism at Lot Fourteen, and increased off-shore and on-shore marketing to target markets.

A growing economyInternational students bring significant value to our economy by starting their own businesses and creating employment opportunities. They help local businesses to create trade linkages with their countries of origin and increase demand for goods and services from existing businesses in their capacity as consumers. In addition, friends and relatives of international students who visit South Australia provide a significant boost to tourism expenditure during their time in our state. The number of international students in our workforce could be increased through enhanced migration pathways, including extensions to the high-performing graduates visa.

A leader in industry and innovationSouth Australia’s growing entrepreneurial landscape has positioned our state as one of the best regions in Australia for innovation. It is a place where ideas can be developed, trialed and sold to the world. Our state has become a global leader in industries such as defence and space industries; health and medical industries; food, wine and agribusiness. Our innovation ecosystem incorporates a world-class education system which equips its graduates with the skills they need to capitalise on innovative ideas, co-working spaces, and business incubators and accelerators. The Adelaide CBD is home to its own innovation precinct which will support all stages of business development including research, commercialisation, start-up and scale-up stages.

A great place to call homeSouth Australia is welcoming, affordable, safe and offers international students an enviable lifestyle with a vibrant mix of arts, culture and restaurants. Adelaide is easy to get around, retains much of its native parklands and boasts pristine beaches. Not only does our state offer exciting job opportunities across a range of high-growth industries, but it is the ideal place to raise a family. Our world-class education system provides students with every opportunity to excel across all levels of education, and graduate with the skills needed to prosper in an ever-changing world.

Deeper community engagementThe benefits international students bring to our state go well beyond economic dividends. They bring with them many of the ingredients needed to ensure our multicultural society continues to flourish by contributing to the development of our cultural capital and the global capabilities of our communities.

The government’s agenda for the state is to create more jobs, reduce costs and provide better services.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SECTOR International education provides a supply of talented graduates to the workforce

The international education sector continues to provide a highly skilled and talented pipeline of graduates, and in many cases their friends and families, who have the potential to contribute to our society, engage with industry and exporters and grow the knowledge capital of our state.

International education could be a significant contributor to population growth

The government has signalled its intention to achieve strong and sustainable population growth for South Australia, ultimately matching Australia’s national population growth. However, in 2016-17, South Australia recorded its lowest population growth in over a decade continuing the trend of minimal natural population change. Without intervention, this trend is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.

Across the last 30 years, South Australia’s national share of the Australian estimated resident population has reduced from 8.5 per cent in 1987 to 7 per cent in 2017, this is forecast to be 6.5 per cent by 2030. South Australia’s population growth has been driven by net overseas migration more than any other jurisdiction. With few exceptions, South Australian net interstate migration is traditionally negative, with losses averaging approximately 3,000 residents per annum over the past three decades.

International education could be a significant driver of population growth in South Australia and assist in balancing our ageing population status through the attraction of younger people. What is required is work ready, career ready graduates to become an active part of South Australia’s economic transition.

Knowledge capital – research and development to boost industry performance

Industries central to South Australia’s economic growth are changing. International education can contribute to that change through a specific focus on research and development and knowledge capital development, both of which are drivers of innovation, discovery and economic advancement.

South Australia has moved away from its reliance on mining and traditional manufacturing and diversified into markets in which it can excel. Our state is now world-renowned for its premium food and wine production, health research, aged care, healthcare and knowledge-based services. In addition, our state is rapidly developing its defence and space sectors. International education can be a significant contributor to all of these sectors and can be a game changer for our industries of the future.

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Contribution to South Australia’s economy

Spending in the international education sector provides a significant boost to our economy. A stronger international education sector will boost the Gross State Product (GSP) through increased spending by students and their families, jobs and infrastructure for our state and research expenditure:

Spending by students and their families

• Accommodation/other living expenses

• Discretionary spending on leisure

• Tourism spend of family and friends

Each student contributes $36,000 per year (average). In higher education, it is closer to $50,000. Given the number of students in the state, in 2018 this amounted to a $1.8 billion contribution to GSP.

Jobs and infrastructure for the state • Support population growth

• Productivity of trained graduates

• Global capability of industries

The international education sector supported over 12,427 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in the state in 2018. Each additional international student provides up to 0.38 FTE jobs in the state, directly and indirectly.

Research expenditure

• Growth in existing industries

• Magnet for attracting new talent

• Innovations produced through R&D

International students contribute up to 33% of South Australia’s STEM PhDs.

ACTIONS TO CREATE OUTCOMES

Live, learn and stay in South Australia1.

Investigate, develop and deliver clear visa and migration pathways, high-quality education outcomes and great student experiences to attract international students to live, learn and stay in South Australia.

Develop a global career in South Australia2.

Investigate, develop and deliver employability and industry experience programs and pathways through stronger connections with industry to prepare international students for their global careers.

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CONSULTING. COLLABORATING. PARTNERING.

Build our global connections in South Australia3.

Investigate, develop and deliver an expansive global footprint through, extended alumni, networks of influence and an international focus in government schools to build South Australia’s global connections.

Build leading industries in South Australia4.

Investigate, develop and deliver a pipeline of talent and investment through international education to support the growth of the sector and our existing and future industries.

WHY WE ARE CONSULTINGThe Government’s International Education 2030 plan adopts a ‘whole of economy’ approach to international education and repositions the State’s international education sector as a key driver of economic and population growth.

In addition, Government has been clear about its role in the continuing development of the international education sector in South Australia, it will work towards improving collaboration across departments and industry to develop efficient and effective mechanisms that will make South Australia the destination of choice for international and interstate students, migrants and businesses.

Government will work collaboratively with the sector and stakeholders on efficient and effective initiatives, some Government-led, some industry-led and some jointly-led. Government has also been clear, as demonstrated through the Ministerial Advisory Committee for International Education, that it will consult thoroughly with industry and stakeholders at all stages of the economic development process.

The Department for Trade, Tourism and Investment has completed significant research into student hubs, nationally and internationally, the results are summarised in this document and the Department will now commence consultation with South Australia’s international education institutions to further explore the International Student Hub opportunity.

The purpose of this consultation process is to advance the election commitment to:

‘Investigate a new International Student Hub in the CBD to deliver a comprehensive range of services and information to international students.’

WHAT IS OUR OBJECTIVESouth Australia’s international education sector is growing, however so is competition from other jurisdictions therefore South Australia needs to differentiate its international education value proposition and provide new and compelling reasons for international students to choose South Australia beyond being clean, safe and affordable.

An International Student Hub could provide an opportunity to attract international students to South Australia, help them build their careers, link them to our innovation and entrepreneur economy, provide access to our migration system and enable them to LIVE, LEARN AND STAY in South Australia.

An International Student Hub could differentiate South Australia as a study ‘destination of choice’ for international students. It could provide international students with opportunities to fulfil their career aspirations post-graduation by working in the state’s future industries, export sectors and assist them to develop the skills needed to create businesses of their own. International students will have compelling reasons to come to and remain in South Australia.

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This consultation seeks to:

• Identify a potential range of International Student Hub services and functions;

• Identify a potential range of service delivery models and options;

• Establish the potential student attraction and retention value of a Hub;

• Evaluate if a Hub would duplicate existing international student support services;

• Ensure there is no shifting of costs through any proposed model; and

• Gauge the readiness of institutions to engage in a co-funded, co-delivered model.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR

The Department for Trade, Tourism and Investment conducted research into student wellbeing services available to international students in South Australia across Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training, ELICOS and Non-Award. Thirteen main categories and sixty-six sub categories of support were identified, Table 1.0.

The research did not include the Schools sector as it is subject to specific regulation covering the welfare of minors and no international students in the School sector reside in South Australia as unaccompanied minors. Potential services that could be made available to the School sector from an International Student Hub are for discussion during this consultation process.

In summary, research indicates that:

• Higher Education, University and TafeSA provide a comprehensive range of student wellbeing services;

• Private VET providers provided limited responses to requests for information, however desktop research indicates that there is a significant lack of student wellbeing services;

• StudyAdelaide provides a wide range of international student on-arrival events, social events, a Student Ambassador program and a student accommodation and employer portal;

• Office of the Training Advocate provides a dispute resolution service and a wide range of information and advice about most aspects of living, working or studying in SA;

• International Students consulted agree with the above analysis, however have indicated that while the services are available at institutions, they can be difficult to locate.

The general level of international student wellbeing and general care services is of a high standard in South Australia and desktop research and site visits indicate that the level, type and method of service delivery in other jurisdictions is not significantly different to that of South Australia, just delivered on a larger scale.

Stage one: Student wellbeing and general care services

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Table 1.0

Main Category Sub Category

Arrival support and orientation

Airport pick up, orientation, visa information, confirmation of enrolment help, course advice, graduation enquiries, Australian road rules and living in Adelaide tips

Accommodation services

Accommodation advice, applying for accommodation, rental databases, accommodation on campus and accommodation off campus

Academic services English language assistance, tutoring, fees and scholarship advice

Career and employment services

Finding and applying for paid work, internships and volunteer work, resume and job interview assistance, bank accounts, tax assistance, employee rights and insurance

Childcare services Childcare on campus, childcare off campus, parenting and child facilities

Disability services Adjustments to address impairment, injury or disability requirements

Pastoral services Pastoral care, prayer rooms and specific cultural requirements

Facilities and general services

WIFI, computers, printers, lockers, workspaces, social spaces, bike storage, showers, kitchen, library services, retail, postage services and public transport services

Professional services ATMs, bank branches on campus, living cost estimates, budgets, health insurance and legal services

Health and wellbeing services

General medical services, general mental health services, dental services, sexual health services and vaccinations

Safety and security Security on campus and emergency support

Fitness Gym facilities, playing fields, aquatics and sports health services

Clubs, events and networking

Student association, academic, sporting, social, cultural and industry engagement events

The AEWEN program was an international student internship business engagement program sponsored by government. Three rounds of the program were delivered during July 2018, November 2018 and February 2019 involving 364 international students working in 59 project groups.

Two groups completed research projects for DTTI:

1. Examine models of national and international student hubs designed to provide services to international students whilst they are studying for a degree or diploma.

2. Use the experience of the international student cohort to develop a peer survey to gauge the need for an International Student Hub in the Adelaide CBD.

In summary AEWEN group 1 concludes that:An international student hub could provide:

Event Collaborations

• The student hub could make itself known to all international students across South Australia by organising events such as competitions, project collaborations involving all universities across South Australia or even with all hubs in Australia. For example, sports competitions, engineering robotic competitions, business case study collaboration projects and many others happening as an inter-university event or even an inter-student hub event across Australia.

Alumni Business Directory

• Alumni graduates from universities across South Australia can work hand in hand with the student hub to promote their business venture or company related problems with the current students. This will benefit both parties as the alumni gets to promote to a wide audience and at the same time students across universities in South Australia get to be involved in business ventures by the alumni.

24-7 Helpline Support

• A 24-7 helpline aims to be the first contact point for international students apart from an emergency calling number. It can be delivered by the phone call robot or the peer program mentor.

Referrals & Practical Supports

• Referral and Practical services to train students and provide them with practical life skills under the guidance of professional instructors and mentors. For example, students could be educated on Australian road rules and be taught how to drive a car. This is a service which could be delivered in collaboration with community groups such as car clubs and other members of the not for profit sector.

In summary AEWEN group 2 concludes that:An international student hub could provide services to:

• Help students find paid internship opportunities;

• Provide clear information about visas;

• Focus on connecting people through teams and activities, such as sports, music, cooking, language classes and traveling groups;

• Develop a mentoring program: 2nd year students are responsible for one 1st year student;

• Lead excursions to go to different parks; and

• Connect with business partners to develop more events such as AEWEN, entrepreneurship competitions.

Stage two: Adelaide Engage Work Experience Network (AEWEN)

In summary, research indicates that:

Information provided in the final reports is limited and, in most cases, the recommendations mirror services currently available to international students at the institution level. There appears to be a lack of knowledge and understanding by the students of what services are available at their institutions.

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Stage three research included a stocktake of physical and virtual student hubs and information distribution mechanisms that facilitate services to both international and domestic students including career advisory services, job noticeboards, connections to industry, and coordination of work experience placements and internships.

South Australia’s Higher Education institutions and TafeSA deliver a comprehensive suite of services to support the development of student careers including advisory services, job noticeboards and facilitating connections with industry and work experience placements and internships.

Although international students studying at TafeSA are provided with career advice and information about a range of occupations, limited information was received, or could be found, from the state’s private Vocational Education and Training institutions regarding delivery of any services.

StudyAdelaide is a valuable first point of contact for general advice and direction to international students seeking to work in Australia. In addition to its destination marketing programs, on-shore student events and high value programs such as the Student Ambassador program, StudyAdelaide offers general advice and direction to international students seeking to work in Australia including workers’ rights, legal and taxation requirements and the types of work available i.e. part-time work, internships, and graduate opportunities. South Australian businesses are able to connect with international students through the StudyAdelaide Employer Portal.

Stage three: South Australia hubs, programs, work ready and employment services

In addition to education institutions, Business SA, through Apprenticeship Support Australia, supports businesses with an interest in offering apprenticeships or traineeships, and provides career advice and job matching services for students, although not specifically international students.

A range of online job noticeboards are available for all job seekers in South Australia, however, guidance on using these is limited.

There are many business hubs, co-work and start up spaces throughout Adelaide and metropolitan South Australia, however no evidence of internship, work experience or part-time employment programs tailored to international students have been identified.

In summary, research indicates that:

There is a wide range of hubs, programs, work ready and employment services available to international students in South Australia, they are however specific to each institution and there appears to be little or no collaboration between institutions, employers or the broader business community.

Desktop research was completed across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. The research was based on the same criteria as that used for South Australia.

Queensland:

Individual institutions offer support and services equivalent to the range offered in South Australia, in addition Queensland offers a number of international student hubs of which the Brisbane Student Hub is the most comprehensive. The Brisbane Student Hub is independent of any education institution, it is a partnership of Multicultural Development Australia Ltd, Study Queensland and Study Brisbane. The Brisbane Student Hub offers advice and referrals on healthcare, employment, budget management, accommodation and legal services, as well as connecting students to local events, jobs and volunteering activities.

New South Wales:

The Government of New South Wales does not currently operate student hubs but does direct international students to a wide range of support services including specialist legal services, counselling and advocacy services through the Study Sydney website.

Individual institutions offer advice and referrals to all basic student welfare services including healthcare, employment, budget management, accommodation and legal services, as well as connecting students to local events, jobs and volunteering activities. Most Higher Education institutions offer employment placement assistance from year one to post-graduation, support includes career advice and assistance to locate graduate employment, casual or part-time work, internships, vacation work and volunteering.

Employment and career services across the Vocational Education and Training sector are available at different levels within different sizes of provider. Much of the work experience is delivered as part of course requirement.

Stage four: National hubs, programs, work ready and employment services

Victoria:

Individual institutions offer support and services equivalent to the range offered in South Australia, in addition the Victorian Government offers an international student hub operating as the StudyMelbourne Centre in the CBD. The Centre is independent of any education institution and provides information on accommodation, health, employment & legal problems, referrals and support in emergencies and crisis intervention, Wi-Fi, printing, computers, and community engagement events.

Western Australia:

The Government of Western Australia does not currently operate international student hubs, individual institutions offer support and services equivalent to the range offered in South Australia.

Individual institutions offer advice and referrals to all basic student welfare services including healthcare, employment, budget management, accommodation and legal services, as well as connecting students to local events, jobs and volunteering activities.

In summary, research indicates that:

There is a wide range of hubs, programs, work ready and employment services available to international students in all jurisdictions, they are however specific to each institution and there appears to be little or no collaboration between institutions, employers or the broader business community.

The type and availability of services available across other jurisdictions are similar in type to those available in South Australia, they are however delivered on a larger scale.

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International student hub models were reviewed across the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe.

International hubs are significantly larger than those in Australia and often operated by commercial providers delivering outsourced services to institutions. The scale, service and costs associated with these services are unlikely to be compatible with international student volumes in Australia, for example, the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) operates across 40 European regions and is a fully independent fee for service company.

Services delivered by international institutions include a full range of student wellbeing services such as establishing accounts for mobile phones, home utilities, internet service providers, allowances, student travel, options for funding studies, pre-departure briefings arranged in other w covering topics such as visa application processes and vaccination advice, and on arrival services including university check-in and registering with local police. The Erasmus+ App provides information on living away from home, interactive checklists, and a feed for news and local events.

Most institutions offer tailored information and connection services for employment, work experience, internships and general business information such as how to start a business etc.

As in South Australia, larger individual institutions have student centres (Hubs) that provide services for both domestic and international students.

Stage five: international hubs, programs, work ready and employment services

In summary, research indicates that:

There is a wide range of hubs, programs, work ready and employment services available to international students across international jurisdictions, they are however specific to each institution and there appears to be little or no collaboration between institutions, employers or the broader business community.

The type and availability of services available are similar in type to those available in South Australia, they are however delivered on a larger scale and often outsourced to private providers.

DTTI SUMMARY

There is no obvious stand out, best practice, whole of jurisdiction public/private model for an International Student Hub. Regions, States and Institutions provide a range of hubs, platforms and services tailored to suit the individual needs of the institution, the student and the type of education being provided.

Higher Education institutions, TafeSA and several larger Vocational Education and Training institutions in South Australia, offer international students access to a range of places, platforms and services to facilitate the full student experience including services to accommodate work experience, employment and internship opportunities.

Outside of the larger private Vocational Education and Training providers, little information is available regarding general wellbeing services or work experience, employment and internship services.

It may be that an independent and centralised International Student Hub could perform the function of connecter, enabler and coordinator between government, industry, institutions and students, act as a shopfront for South Australia in our targeted international destinations and build on South Australia’s value proposition for international students investigating their options to study in Australia.

• Engagement with and across institutions, industry and students to better establish a whole of sector approach to providing services to international students to achieve whole of economy outcomes for the international education sector;

• Developing and promoting pathways across the Schools, Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education sectors;

• Developing and or coordinating industry specific employment pathway programs to equip students with work ready skills and experience suitable to their place of origin, next destination or extended stays in South Australia;

• Working with institutions and innovation precincts to establish targeted industry and research internships, work experience and volunteering programs across all education sectors;

• Developing programs to connect entrepreneurial students to local exporters, entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale ups to leverage both the student’s talents and international connections;

• Develop initiatives that assist international students to stay longer post-graduation and become contributors to the state’s growing economy and population growth aspirations; and

• Provide a physical location for a range of organisations directly involved with international students and services including an operational centre, function space, student hot desk area and a coordination point for industry, institutions, students and government engagement.

An international student hub, or hub function could be a coordination mechanism for:

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TIMELINE

ADDITIONAL PAPERS

Action Commence Complete

Consultation paper distribution 20/08/2019 20/08/2019

Consultation 20/08/2019 6/09/2019

Consultation consolidation 2/09/2019 20/09/2019

Preparation of draft report 16/09/2019 1/11/2019

Final report 3/11/2019 3/11/2019

AEWEN Project Team 1 Report

AEWEN Project Team 2 Report

Employment services for international students

Entrepreneurship and innovation in South Australia

Skilled visa pathways for international graduates

Education technology in Australia

Dealing with workplace exploitation of international students

No responsibility for any loss or damage caused by reliance on any of the information or advice provided by or on behalf of the state of South Australia, or for any loss or damage arising from acts or omissions made, is accepted by the state of South Australia, its officers, servants or agents.

Produced by the Government of South Australia © August 2019.

Content correct at time of production.

www.dtti.sa.gov.au

Department for Trade, Tourism and Investment

International Education131-139 Grenfell StreetAdelaide, South Australia, 5000

GPO Box 320Adelaide, South Australia 5001T: +61 8 8303 2400E: internationaleducation@sa.gov.au