The bold idea Sally Capp says would make ‘a big difference’ to Melbourne

Melbourne’s lord mayor is calling for international students to automatically receive a work visa following their degree.

Under the plan being championed by Sally Capp, foreign students who complete a bachelor’s degree or above would get a four-year work visa immediately after finishing their studies.

Councillor Capp says it’d help relieve worker shortages and encourage international students to choose Australia over other countries for study.

“The idea is to recognise the value that international students bring to our city in so many ways — as students of course, as tenants, as neighbours, consumers but importantly also as workers,” she told Tom Elliott.

“They will have been here studying, they will already have working relationships with so may businesses in town.”

Cr Capp says Australia’s lengthy international border closure means the country has fallen out of favour with foreign students.

“The fact our borders have been closed longer than other countries has meant that international student enrolments in places like the UK and Canada are up 150 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, but ours are still struggling,” she said.

“Were still at around 40 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and it’s making a big difference.

“The US has also moved to considering four-year working visas for international students. We need to be globally competitive to attract our fair share.”