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State Budget 2019: $6.5 million foreign student cash lure

Josh Zimmerman, ExclusiveThe West Australian
Over the past two years WA shed 3000 international students — the only state or territory to record a decline.
Camera IconOver the past two years WA shed 3000 international students — the only state or territory to record a decline. Credit: Pixabay

Efforts to coax lucrative overseas students to WA will receive a significant boost with the McGowan Government more than tripling its total investment in StudyPerth’s International Education Action Plan to $6.5 million.

Over the past two years WA shed 3000 international students — the only state or territory to record a decline.

Desperate to reverse that trend, last October Premier Mark McGowan committed $2 million over five years to a StudyPerth-designed blueprint to position WA as a global tertiary education destination of choice.

The upcoming State Budget will include an additional $4.5 million to implement the plan, which StudyPerth executive director Phil Payne said would be used for overseas marketing and to enhance the experience and career outcomes for international students.

The McGowan Government has also increased the number of places in its graduate visa program from 800 to 2250.

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The visas are available to the “best and brightest” international students who studied at least two years in WA, can speak proficient English and have an offer of employment.

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