New fee waiver for studying in Australia
International students could soon benefit from a fee waiver to study in Australia. The Western Australia (WA) government is allocating A$41.2 million to boost the state’s international education sector, The Times of India has reported. State funding includes scholarships and bursaries, which are intended to cover their study costs, either through a partial or full tuition fee waiver to study in Australia.
The multimillion-dollar funding is the latest revision to the 2022-23 state budget, which aims to “build a pipeline of future international students in onshore education.”
Western Australia’s Minister for International Education, David Templeman, said “Western Australia recognizes the importance of international education as being a huge contributor to the state’s economy”. To ensure the continuity of this initiative, he said the McGowan government is strongly committed to supporting the industry as it continues to reconnect with international partners.
Fee waiver to study in Australia
There are two new scholarship programs offered by the WA government. They include the Premier’s University Scholarships, valued at A$2 million over four years. This will cover funding for 10 international students, through one-year scholarships worth AU$50,000 each per year.
Further financial assistance, offered in the form of a scholarship, will be provided to 50 Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) offshore graduates from top international schools in WA. The scholarship, which is expected to raise A$4 million from the state budget over four years, is expected to provide support in the amount of A$20,000 per year to each selected student.
The WA government is offering two new scholarships to attract the best and brightest minds to study at one of five universities in its state. Credit: Trevor Collens/AFP
Scholarships are also available for English language programs. The Government of Western Australia has set aside A$6.8 million for the Continuation of the English Language Tutoring Bursary (ELICOS) and the International Student Accommodation on Subsidy initiative.
The promoting body, StudyPerth, will also receive additional funding of A$4.5 million to help international students feel welcomed and supported throughout their studies in Western Australia.
Western Australia is the oldest state in Australia to implement strict lockdown measures, which have affected international students and visitors. Although the reopening is scheduled for February 5, 2022, the Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, reversed this decision. Given the delay in reopening state borders, the Western government has allocated A$2,000 to each international student to support quarantine-related costs. WA finally opened to international students on March 13, 2022.