Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Watt. Can the minister outline why international education is important to our economy and to building relationships with other countries?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Bilyk. I know you're a very strong supporter of the international education industry in your home state of Tasmania and right around the country. A strong international education sector is an important contributor to the Australian economy. It's in fact the biggest export that we don't dig out of the ground. But of course this industry was absolutely smashed by COVID. In 2019 international education contributed over $40 billion to the Australian economy and supported over 250,000 jobs. The pandemic saw that fall to $20.8 billion in 2021-22, so it nearly halved.

International education has recently returned to being Australia's fourth biggest export industry, now worth $25.5 billion, but obviously there's still a very large gap to where we were before COVID-19 came along. International education also plays a role in filling Australia's skill needs, with high-quality graduates trained to Australian standards. Our government's work to reduce the visa backlog—another mess we inherited from the former government—and increase post-study work rights will help attract the best and brightest to Australian shores. International students are starting to come back and that's a very good thing, but there is a lot more work to be done here. That's why the work that the Minister for Education Jason Clare has done, and the Prime Minister is doing in India right now, is so important.

International education directly progresses Australia's interests in a stable and prosperous future for our region. The deep and enduring connections that result from international students studying and living in Australia brings more than revenue; it builds us friends in the region and beyond. International students help to strengthen Australia's international relationships. They are an invaluable part of Australian communities, bringing new perspectives, ideas and skills to enrich the cultural fabric of our society. Education plays a key role in building cultural diversity and people-to-people links around the world. It also ensures regional stability. They're some of the many reasons why our government is supporting it. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bilyk, your first supplementary?

Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can you provide an update on what the Albanese government is doing to strengthen higher education ties with India?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I can, Senator Bilyk. As you would be aware, our government takes the relationship between Australia and India very seriously and that is a strong and important relationship for our future. I know that's certainly the case in my own portfolio of agriculture. The recently signed free trade agreement with India opens lots of new markets for agricultural producers in India, but I think that education is also a big part of the reason why this relationship is continuing to grow.

The Prime Minister's announcement overnight that Deakin University will be the first overseas university approved to build a campus in India is proof of the strength of our relationship, and I'm sure all Victorian senators, in particular, are very proud of that.

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hear, hear!

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senate Ciccone. The Minister for Education's visit last week to sign the new mutual recognition agreement is further proof of that. It delivers an immediate benefit to the hundreds of thousands of Indians with Australian qualifications and to anyone with Australian and Indian qualifications that wants to continue their higher education. This agreement was the broadest that India has signed with another country. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bilyk, your second supplementary?

Catryna Bilyk (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, what are the benefits to Australia of the work the Prime Minister is doing on higher education in India?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you Senator Bilyk. I will just clear my throat as Senator Farrell is wont to do. Our relationship with India presents massive opportunities for Australia, both for our economy and for the people with the links it generates.

The Indian government has a plan to increase its higher education enrolments to 50 per cent of young people by 2035. The quality of our universities and the strength of our relationship has led India to ask for our help in getting this huge undertaking done. Following recent visits, we will see more Australian education providers established in India. The University of Wollongong and Deakin University have committed to establishing campuses in Gujarat and will be education partners for the many companies operating in Gift City and surrounds. RMIT University and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, signed an agreement, and there are 11 memoranda of understanding signed between Australia universities and Indian counterparts. We're going to do a lot more in this space. It's really important. (Time expired)