Pacific Islands push for more uni students in Australia

Pacific Island nations want to make it easier for their citizens to study in Australia. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Going to university in Australia could become simpler for Pacific Islanders if they are considered domestic students.

The high commissioner for Samoa, Hinauri Petana, told federal politicians the crippling cost of international student fees in Australia was curbing educational outcomes in her nation.

"Our appeal is that, by all means, international rates should stay for who can afford it, but for the Pacific we’d like to see our own private citizens to send their children here at the same rates," she told a public hearing into education and tourism in the Pacific this week.

"Australia has been one of the leading countries in the world in terms of education."

Greater investment and assistance would help her nation in developing its own education sector, Ms Petana said.

Australia hosts nearly one million international students each year with most hailing from China, India and Nepal.

Pacific Islanders make up less than one per cent, with 7000 to 8000 people on student visas. 

Yves Lafoy, representing New Caledonia, floated the idea of a set number of people that could be considered domestic students.

"We back the concept of a quota of Pacific students to benefit from Australian fees," Dr Lafoy told the hearing.

A ballot visa for Pacific Islander nations was established by the Labor government in 2023 and from late 2024 will allow 3000 people per year to receive permanent residency if they've been offered an ongoing job in Australia. 

People studying on the Pacific Engagement Visa will pay domestic fees and will be able to access Commonwealth student loans as well as Youth Allowance and other benefits.

Luke Sheehy, chief executive of Universities Australia, said scholarships from individual universities and other educational programs were all options for students from the Pacific to come to Australia. 

"These are terrific and often transformative initiatives, and further consideration given to encouraging and supporting more students abroad to receive an Australian education would be welcome," he said. 

Long wait times and exorbitant visa costs for Pacific Islanders wanting to visit Australia were also holding back integration in the region, the committee heard. 

‘It is very difficult, even to come be a tourist in Australia,” Ms Petana said. 

‘You have to show your sponsorships, you have to show your bank account, all kinds of things."

Samson Vilvil Fare, the high commissioner for Vanuatu, also spoke in support of easing Australia’s visa requirements on Pacific Island visitors.

Complicated paperwork and frustrating wait times meant people were often delayed or may not end up coming to Australia, he said.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store