The recent closure of International House and the Perth International College of English has shocked Australia’s international education industry. These once well-regarded institutions were not immune to the growing pressures facing providers across the country.

 

The liquidation of a respected Perth-based English language college, which, by its owner, is attributed to recent Federal Labor Government policy changes, has left thousands of international students displaced and hundreds of staff without jobs. 

 

However, this is not just a business failure, it’s a systemic issue with wide spreading implications for students, staff, agents, and the broader (not only) international education community.

 

These closures expose the fragility of Australia’s current international education framework, raising urgent concerns about:

 

  • The speed and scale of recent immigration and education policy changes.
  • The lack of proactive communication from key government departments.
  • The vulnerability of providers, even long established ones, to sudden regulatory and market shifts.

Take, for example, the proposed upcoming increase in fees for student visa applications. The government has not confirmed when or if the latest sharp hike will take effect. Similarly, providers and students remain in the dark about any other potentially upcoming changes to student visa settings.

 

This lack of transparency raises serious concerns. Any major policy shifts that affect tens of thousands of international students, education providers, and the broader economy are implemented without timely public consultation or advance notice. In the private sector, such practices would be considered unacceptable and potentially subject to regulatory penalties, yet here we see the same government imposing unpredictable changes on others while holding itself to a different standard.

 

The international education sector deserves clarity, consistency, and fair notice, just as any other industry would expect when facing changes that impact livelihoods and business sustainability.

 

For senior leaders, owners, and managers across the sector, these events serve as a clear and urgent reminder to strengthen core business foundations. Some immediate focus areas include:

 

Financial Resilience and Oversight:
 Regular financial audits, risk assessments, and transparent reporting can help identify vulnerabilities early, before they spiral into insolvency.

 

Compliance and Quality Assurance:
 Maintaining high compliance standards, addressing risk areas proactively, and staying updated with regulatory changes is now more critical than ever.

 

Strategic Planning for Change:
 Providers need to anticipate the sector wide shifts, review their business models, and develop contingency plans that build resilience in the face of unpredictable policy landscapes.

 

Australia’s international education sector is undoubtedly facing significant challenges and the current immigration reforms and tightening policy settings pose undeniable challenges, but they also present opportunities for providers to evolve and potentially thrive.

 

The key message for all stakeholders: Be prepared, stay informed, and strengthen your foundations.

 

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