The Australian government has this week published information regarding exemptions to its incoming caps on international student enrolments, which includes the following criteria for TNE programs set to be excluded from the National Planning Level:
- The overseas component of study forms part of the delivery of a regulated Australian higher education award, and/or;
- The overseas study program is co-delivered by the Australian provider, and the program is registered with the official in-country regulatory authority as an Australian twinning or joint program arrangement, where the student transfers to Australia to gain the Australian award (or vice versa), and
- No more than 60% of the Australian award’s course duration is to be completed in Australia, and;
- The arrangement was in place prior to July 1 2024, or, for arrangements established after July 1 2024, has been assessed as eligible for the exemption by the department.
The full details can be found in the government’s fact sheet available to download.
The government said the exemptions are in place to recognise TNE that is “high quality, deeply engaged and that reinforces the quality, integrity and character of Australia’s education system in the international context”.
“The exemption of eligible transnational education programs from the National Planning Level reaffirms Australia’s commitment to supporting the education and skills needs of our key bilateral partners, at the same time as promoting sustainable and innovative approaches to international education by providers,” the government announcement read.
The announcement coincided with the AIEC conference held in Melbourne, co-hosted by IDP and IEAA, where 1,800 stakeholders gathered and where the government-proposed caps dominated discussions.
Speaking at the conference, Marnie Watson, chief commercial and partnerships officer for Acumen (part of Sannam S4 Group), said she expects both TNE interest and awareness to surge in light of the recent announcement.
Although some stakeholders have queried whether the exemption could attract “inappropriate interest”, Watson isn’t overly concerned, noting that those looking to rush through a TNE offering would quickly learn about the complexities of such a venture in terms of both people and hours needed.
Watson said she has “sufficient trust” in education organisations and the sector’s regulatory bodies.
The 60% limit for the Australian award’s course duration being completed in Australia, as outlined above, was originally set at 50%, but government consultation with TNE stakeholder groups swayed decision-makers to increase the limit.
Outside of TNE, other exempt student cohorts announced by government include:
- Students from the Pacific and Timor-Leste
- Schools
- Students studying standalone ELICOS courses
- Higher degree by research students
- Non-award students, including short term exchange students
- All Australian governmen- sponsored scholars and visa holders
- International government scholarship holders
- Other Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence-sponsored students