Labor accused of avoiding promise to rein in controversial Morrison-era university fees scheme
By Caitlin Cassidy

Greens amendments to force new watchdog to scrutinise uni fees and the Jobs-Ready Graduates scheme rejected by federal government

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/31/australia-university-fees-scheme-reform-delays

#Australianuniversities #Australianews #Australianpolitics #Australianeducation #CaitlinCassidy

Quick summary of that ABC piece on crashing Chinese student numbers: Australian universities are pulling the exact same move Australian manufacturing did years ago — they're offshoring.
For decades the unis built a fat revenue model shipping full-fee international students here at $50k–$60k a pop. Now that pipeline is drying up fast, they're rushing to set up joint programs, transnational degrees and offshore campuses across Asia. Same product, delivered cheaper and closer to the customer, with fewer costs onshore.
It's the classic neoliberal playbook: when the easy profits at home dry up, chase them wherever labour and overheads are lower. The cash cow that subsidised the whole sector is on life support, just like the factories before it. Local jobs, wages, and the character of our campuses pay the price.

#HigherEducation #AustralianUniversities #Offshoring #Neoliberalism #EducationForProfit

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-29/chinese-student-numbers-are-expected-to-take-turn-for-the-worse/106468846