Withdrawl of support for the Homestay Providers Association Incorporated
Homestay Accommodation for International Students
The homestay accommodation format is best described as an opportunity for a person to experience local (Australian, American etc) family life as an alternative to using the limited on-campus accommodation or student share of a house or apartment. Homestay is an accommodation option popular with people, young and old, coming to foreign city to study for the first time. Guests have the advantages of living within a supportive family environment while they settle into study or work in a new city where they have limited friends and family support.
Students will often use homestay for as little as 1 week, while some stay for up to a year or longer depending on the their needs.
Have Australia's Visa Reforms impacted International Student Numbers
Substantial reform to student visa's in the last three years by the Australian government and announcements made by both parties in the current election campaign to alter skilled migration to Australia appears to be biting in the AUD$18 billion education export industry are exacerbating the situation. Recent reports in national newspapers such as the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Sydney Morning Herald (SMH). the ABC and others indicate the potential for a severe contraction in the numbers of international student arrivals to Australia.
Reports from James Cook University, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and a number of English Language Centres indicate that international enrollments are already falling. Additionally the changes being proposed by both major political parties to immigration policy, the collapse of some private education providers and a strong Australian dollar are exacerbating the issue.
The Australian Technology Network (ATN) of universities describes existing and proposed policy relating to international education and migration as "economic suicide". The network has released as study, including independent economic modelling, forecasting losses of up to AUD$1.2Billion and 19,000 jobs (10% of the sector) over the next two years on top of losses of around 12% already. The ATN study also found that for every two international students who enrol in higher education, one additional Australian job is created.
