Australian retailers are cautioning against further cutbacks to international student numbers.
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said further capping of numbers and raising visa costs would “significantly” impact the retail workforce.
ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown said international students were important as workers and consumers.
“International students play a critical role in supporting part-time and casual roles, which are the backbone of dynamic trading environments like retail stores and restaurants,” she said.
“Retail job vacancies remain high at 25,600 nationally, and retailers across the country are crying out for staff.
“We should be sending positive signals to this essential workforce cohort – knowing it can take years to build a pipeline of students willing to travel to our shores.”
The Federal Labor Government placed caps on student numbers last year and the Coalition has announced it will restrict numbers further if it wins office. The cutbacks are part of efforts to overcome housing shortages in major cities.
Ms Fleur said curtailing the ability of international students to work in Australia would undermine years of effort to make the country a destination of choice.
NRA Interim CEO Lindsay Carroll said the proposed number reductions risked reversing the progress made in attracting international students back since the pandemic.
“We understand the need for a balanced migration system, but limiting international student access will have ripple effects across the retail and hospitality workforce at a time when we simply can’t afford it,” Ms Carroll said.
“Importantly, all Australians will be impacted. Skills shortages in the sector make it challenging for retailers to keep delivering the high standard of service they aim to provide to their customers.”
