A new survey of international students stranded offshore has found 93 per cent have experienced significant adverse mental health impacts by not being allowed into Australia to study on-campus.
The Council of International Students Australia survey, released on Wednesday, also found 36 per cent, or one of every three respondents, are now considering or have decided to study in a different country.
The poll of more than 600 students was conducted in March.
CISA national president Belle Lim said her organisation has been contacted incessantly by worried stranded students over the past 12 months.
She said their online learning experiences have been marred by technical difficulties, having to work across time zones, and the overall uncertainty about when they can return to on-campus learning.
“These students, they pay a lot in tuition fees. They are not able to access the education that they paid for and some feel guilt for spending their parents’ money or savings [on what they are getting],” she told SBS News.
“We have been seeing and reading messages from students that were frankly quite difficult to read. They asked for answers, saying: ‘tell us when we can come back because I can’t plan my life or live like this anymore'.”
Last week’s federal budget revealed a gradual return of permanent and temporary migrants to Australia – about six months later than the assumption relied upon in the previous budget.
However, the government said a phased return of some international students could begin later this year.
“There's no certainty, and that there's no timeline [for when students can come back to campus] from the Australian government, is just really difficult for them,” Ms Lim said.
The CISA poll follows results from that found only seven per cent of respondents were willing to study purely online, and 43 per cent said they would defer until they could study face-to-face.
It also comes after New South Wales and Victoria submitted proposals to the federal government that would allow the return of international students.
Just over $53 million was pledged for international education providers in last week’s budget, targeted at English language and non-university higher education.
“Our international border closures have been our single best defence in keeping Australians safe from COVID-19, but have obviously meant no new international students coming to Australia,” Education Minister Alan Tudge said ahead of the budget.
“International students will be welcomed back when conditions allow, and these measures will support providers to maintain as much capacity as possible in the meantime.”
