While the ACT government has committed to a review of the subclass 190 visa program and made qualified commitments of support to students, colleges facing financial pressure have not received any concrete promises about their futures.
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A spokeswoman for Higher Education Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the government was committed to supporting the industry, but did not outline what actions would be taken as the industry reacts to the cancelled enrolments of hundreds of students after a review of the visa program was announced.
"As Australia’s education capital, the higher education industry in Canberra is incredibly important and is one of our major export industries. The ACT government is committed to continuing to support Canberra’s education industry, whether it is private colleges, CIT, our world class universities or other institutions," the spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman repeated the commitment made by Chief Minister Andrew Barr's office to review the program.
"It is worth noting that the vast majority of international students coming to study in the ACT are not using their study to achieve permanent residency," she said.
The spokeswoman said about 17,000 international students are enrolled in education programs across the territory, showing a marked increase on the 12,000 reported in September 2016.
The minister did not commit to personally meet with college operators to hear their concerns.
"As part of the review, the ACT government will work with and consult stakeholders to implement a more sustainable program management approach that is better able to cater for the increased demand for the program and continue to prioritise the needs of the ACT," the spokeswoman said.
The ACT has experienced an influx of international students in the past 12 months, hoping to gain permanent residency in Australia through the subclass 190 visa program, where states and territories are able to support applications by skilled migrants. The ACT suspended most applications for the program late last month, with no word on when applications for the limited number of places will re-open.
Since the closure, the colleges attended by many of the students have reported a drop in enrolments so severe it threatens their financial futures.
John Hourigan, one of Canberra's leading migration agents, said he was aware of one Sydney-based migration agent who claimed to have sent 800 students to the ACT in hope of gaining a visa.
"No one asked the question 'what's the size of the pipeline here?'" Mr Hourigan said.
Tightening restrictions on visa eligibility at a federal level, as well as ballooning wait times and costs have meant potential migrants are becoming increasingly desperate in their bids to stay in Australia.
"As one pathway opens, people look at other pathways," he said.
Changes to eligibility criteria in other states have also affected the situation in the ACT.
"It wasn't clearly forseeable, because it largely depended on what NSW, Victoria and Queensland did with their programs."
While Mr Hourigan said the influx itself couldn't be predicted, the increased enrolments in the colleges signalling demand would soon outstrip supply had been evident for months.
"I've know about this now for about 10 months, and it got to fever pitch around eight months ago."
Mr Hourigan didn't hold much hope the ACT government review would be able to help students unsure about their futures in the ACT.
"Everyone's adversely affected by this. As much as I'd like to help every overseas student in Canberra it's not going to happen unless Home Affairs raises the ACT's allocation."
