In this episode of the Koala News Global Horizons podcast, Rob Malicki and Dirk Mulder focus on one issue that is dominating the sector right now: visas.

They begin with John Chew’s recent commentary on the growing lack of clarity, consistency and trust in Australia’s student visa system, and what that means for institutions, students and the country’s reputation more broadly. From there, they unpack new data on just how much money the government is making from international education visa fees, including a striking figure tied to rejected applications, and ask what that says about the way the system is currently operating.

The conversation then turns to Nepal, where visa grant rates have dropped sharply in a short period of time, raising deeper questions about transparency, financial assessment and the burden being placed on institutions to interpret rules that do not appear to be clearly published or consistently understood. Rob and Dirk also reflect on what this kind of uncertainty may be doing to trust in Australia, particularly for students and families making major financial sacrifices simply to apply.

There is also some more constructive news in the episode. Rob and Dirk discuss the launch of the new Australian International Education Consultants Association, which brings together two existing agent bodies into a single national association, and they touch on IDP’s move into Malaysia, a sign of how student mobility patterns may continue to shift as the major destination countries become more difficult to navigate.

Highlights include:

• John Chew’s argument that the visa system is becoming harder to trust
• new figures on how much revenue is being generated from international education visa fees
• the sharp fall in visa grant rates for Nepal
• questions around financial scrutiny, transparency and fairness
• the launch of a new national association for education consultants
• why Malaysia is becoming a more significant destination in the global mix

Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. 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