Ms Maria Jockel - Australia’s Migration Program: International Education and Shaping the Nation

Australia’s Migration Program offers significant opportunities and challenges in shaping the future of our nation.  It underpins much of our economic prosperity by adding to the skills base of the country.  It remains, however, a topic of much contention, and often focuses on dramatic incidents, such as the arrival on our shores of new boat loads of people fleeing persecution.  A significant part of the program, which receives much less public discussion, is that of international education. Indeed, international education plays a critical role in the Australian economy, with income from foreign students contributing a significant and increasing share of the tertiary sector’s revenue, making the education sector now Australia’s third largest and Victoria’s largest single ‘export earner’.  Importantly, international education is a potential source of new skilled migrants, with many overseas students seeking to stay on after they complete their studies.  The regulatory and policy framework underpinning the migration program as it impacts on international education is, however, under considerable strain.  The need to balance a range of competing issues, interests and concerns, to government, education providers, students and the Australian community in general remains a perennial challenge.  So where to from here? Maria Jockel is currently leader of Russell Kennedy’s immigration law team.  In her current and former roles, Ms Jockel has contributed to shaping the future of immigration law in Australia, having advised on sensitive government policy and legal matters at state and federal levels.  She acts for international and Australian corporations, bringing skilled personnel to Australia to meet labour force needs.  Ms Jockel also advises international education providers on requirements of the National Code and regulatory compliance dealing with student visa matters.  She represents business, skilled and family migrants, advising in all aspects of temporary and permanent residency.