The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) appeals to the Government to urgently rescind Ministerial Direction 107 and provide the higher education sector with much-needed stability and predictability.
Responding to the announcement of a National Planning Level for international students, and International Student Profiles capping enrolments for education providers, ATN Executive Director, Dr Ant Bagshaw, said: “Providing allocations to universities gives us some essential information with which to manage enrolments for the coming year. ATN member universities welcome the exclusion of key student groups from the caps, including research degrees and transnational education students.”
ATN has advocated strongly for the urgent removal of Ministerial Direction 107, which continues to harm the sector’s ability to attract the best and brightest to Australia.
“We cannot wait until next year to remove this unfair and fickle approach to visa processing. MD107 must be rescinded immediately to give students certainty and enable universities to plan ahead,” Dr Bagshaw said.
ATN also seeks clarity on how allocations were calculated and Government action to support institutional sustainability. It is not clear how these announcements will support the sustainable growth of the sector. Universities need their individual circumstances to be taken into account, including future planning and growth expectations. We welcome further discussions with the Government on these issues.
Media Contact (not for publication)
Frank Coletta (Deputy Executive Director) m 0468 987 295 e frank.coletta@atn.edu.au
The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) was established in 1999 and brings together six of
Australia’s leading universities focused on enterprise, innovation and finding solutions to issues facing our rapidly changing
economy and society. Our member universities are Curtin University, Deakin University, RMIT University, The University of
Newcastle, University of South Australia, and University of Technology Sydney. Our universities produce Australia’s most jobready graduates and undertake internationally recognised research with real-world impact. Through our innovation and leadership, we are proud disruptors challenging the status quo. ATN universities provide world-class education to more than
300,000 students and teach up to 20 per cent of domestic higher education students, along with almost 18 per cent of
international students and we are the fastest-growing university grouping in terms of domestic students. Together, we are
proud of who we include, not exclude, with a strong commitment to equity, excellence, and social justice. ATN
Universities is one of Australia’s leading university peak bodies, a trusted voice across all political circles, with a
proven track record of valued advocating and the shaping of positive and game-changing policy outcomes with all levels of
government, including core equity, access and student experience recommendations to the recent Australian
Universities Accord
