TDA Newsletter | 18 May 2015
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While there were few changes to training and skills in the 2015 Budget, there were a number of significant impacts on international education revealed in the detailed portfolio statements.
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These include:
- The Regional Links and Increasing the Profile of Australia’s International Education Sector (IPAIES) programs will cease from 2015−16 with remaining multi−year IPAIES contracts continuing to 2018−19.
- The Professional Service Development Program and the Assessment Subsidy for Overseas Trained Professionals will cease from 2015−16.
- All visitors applying for a visa offshore will pay additional costs for their application charges, with the government raising $437.1 million over four years.
- Scholarships for mobility go from 6,205 per year to 3,100 per year, but with an increase in New Colombo Plan scholarships which are currently only accessible to university students.
- The Asian Business Engagement Plan will cease with no further application rounds.
- The Emerging Markets Development Grant allocations over the forward estimates remain static, indicating a reduction in available funds
International education is Australia’s third largest export and a significant employer. TAFE Directors Australia says the budget changes now place greater focus on the need to finalise the recently released Draft National Strategy for International Education.