The higher education sector is resigned to losing another year of overseas student income after tens of thousands missed out on face-to-face learning in 2020. The impact of two lost years is expected to devastate Victoria’s biggest industry until at least 2024, experts say. Students from overseas who remained in Australia are now looking to transfer courses to other countries. The impact on the sector comes as universities in Victoria are expected to go to a “blended” learning model when first semester starts this week at most campuses. Packed lecture halls will be moved online again, but smaller groups for tutorials, workshops and lab work will be possible on-site. Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said its latest economic analysis forecast the higher education sector would lose another $2bn — about a quarter from Victoria — this year compared with 2019. “The impact for universities is highly varied across the sector, but no one is immune to the ongoing, multi-year challenge,” she said. “International students who did not begin last year will not continue this year. “This is now added to the 2021 new starters who may not begin as borders remain shut.”La Trobe alone is facing a $170m shortfall in 2021, almost double last year’s loss.“This will delay recovery in revenues until 2023 and beyond,’’ La Trobe vice-chancellor John Dewar said.International Education Association chief executive Phil Honeywood said it was difficult to bring in international students while Aussies were still stranded overseas.Victoria lacked an international strategy, he said, although the state government was reconvening the International Education Advisory Council, which had not met since August. Former premier John Brumby is its new chair.Mr Honeywood said Victoria and Australia were now less attractive for students. “It’s diabolical because students are voting with their feet to study in the UK or Canada,’’ he said.Then federal education minister Dan Tehan asked the state government last year to provide its international student return plan by November 30. Current minister Alan Tudge confirmed he had received no proposals from the Victorian government to bring back international students.ian.royall@news.com.au
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