Between record-high visa fees, deep policy uncertainty, and dramatic drops in English language student numbers, the sector is feeling the pressure.

In this episode of Global Horizons, Rob Malicki and Dirk Mulder catch up from opposite sides of the world — Paris and Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne — to unpack the latest news, including:

• The Lowy Institute’s polling on Australian attitudes to international students

• StudyMove’s projections of a 5–10% decline in international student commencements for 2025

• The policy wrangling underway in Canberra as a new Parliament settles in

• Financial volatility hitting universities’ revenue and expenses since the pandemic

• Some good news from the Sunshine Coast, with a young researcher recognised by UNESCO

  
  

But the highlight is an extended conversation with Ian Aird, CEO of English Australia, who joins to share an unflinching look at what’s happening inside the English language sector. Ian unpacks:

• The devastating impacts of the $2,000 visa fee on shorter-term English language programs

• How the ELICOS sector (English language) was uniquely hit by COVID and is still struggling to bounce back

• Why policy blind spots in Canberra put a critical part of the education system at risk

• Hints of optimism for differentiated visa pricing in the future

• What he hopes the sector — and government — will learn from this painful moment

Ian’s reflections are grounded, authentic, and brimming with hard-won perspective from decades of experience. Whether you work in international education or you’re simply fascinated by how policy shapes people’s lives, you’ll find this episode deeply worthwhile.

We are incredibly proud to be the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OFFICIAL podcast of the AIEC Australian International Education Conference... registrations are open now⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company.

The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website.

This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets.

For guest suggestions and feedback, email podcast@globalsociety.com.au

Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Angelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host.