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The lanyards are off, the exhibition hall is packed away, and the dust is finally settling on AIEC’s 40th anniversary conference in Sydney. By the time I got home on the Friday night, I hugged my family, apologised, and went straight to bed with my laptop to watch YouTube for two hours. Something I never do. Dirk, meanwhile, was in bed by eight… after a week of 1am finishes writing up stories for The Koala. So naturally, our first chat back is a bit of a debrief. But it’s also so much more than that, because the news hasn’t stopped just because we all needed a nap. The Department of Home Affairs has opened a consultation on strengthening financial capacity requirements, and three of the four options on the table would require students to park their funds in an Australian bank account before applying for a visa. Wait, for how long? And what happens if the exchange rate moves the wrong way? That question took me straight back to a very bad morning in our early AIM Overseas days, a $15,000 Oxford program and a currency that tanked overnight… In this episode of the Koala International Education News, presented by Global Horizons, Dirk and I get into: Dirk’s main-stage panel on the changing Big Four, and why AIEC 2027 is heading to the Gold Coast a little later than usualThe four Home Affairs options, the forex risk families could face, and why you should write a submission before 23 November, even as an individual120 student reps from more than 30 institutions gathering for the International Student Representative CouncilNew Zealand’s student survey: a 90% approval rating from over 6,000 students… and the part-time work gap that sounds very familiarMy big five-year prediction for how universities will have to rethink learning, and the vice-chancellor who replied “Sounds like a job for the humanities” We also raise a glass to the Blue Mountains Hotel Management School turning 35 and CAUDIT turning 50. My brain was still a little fried from the conference, so you might catch me babbling once or twice. But I think you’ll enjoy this one. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia’s unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email [email protected]

Lots to talk about in this week's Koala News episode of the Global Horizons podcasts. We've got massive cuts to migration on the table as official Opposition policy. Increases to TEQSA fees for education providers. Merger chatter heating up in the west, and so much more! Buckle up as we careen towards AIEC... now just two weeks to go! Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠⁠https://aiec.idp.com

In this episode of Global Horizons, Rob Malicki sits down with AIEC conference organiser Catania Aviles for a behind-the-scenes look at the 40th Australian International Education Conference in Sydney. With just a few weeks to go, Catania shares what it takes to bring a major sector event together, from signage and sponsor logistics to the expo hall, delegate experience and the final details that make AIEC work. This year’s conference is a major milestone, marking 40 years of AIEC. Rob and Catania discuss the special anniversary elements, including the AIEC Museum, a 40th anniversary panel featuring people connected to the history and future of the conference, and a conference-wide celebration of international education. In this episode, we cover: ✅ The final preparations for AIEC 2026 in Sydney✅ The 40th anniversary celebrations✅ Why this year’s conference matters for the sector✅ Innovation Alley and the role of education technology✅ The retro 1986 conference celebration on Kensington Street✅ Key speakers including Annabel Crabb, Michael McQueen and Julia Gillard The episode also includes a preview of the expo, the conference celebration, the International Education Badge, the AIEC quest, the fun run and a few surprises, including one very famous 1980s car. If you are heading to AIEC, this episode is a great way to get ready. If you are still thinking about registering, it might be the nudge you need. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email [email protected] Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠https://aiec.idp.com

Rob Malicki and Dirk Mulder of The Koala News are back, recorded the morning after a brutal sporting weekend for Dirk. The main event is Tony Burke's National Press Club address. Student and temporary graduate visa holders will generally no longer be able to include family members, with exceptions for PhD candidates and some government-sponsored programs. Moving provider will require a new visa application. Subsequent student visas will generally only be granted for progression to a higher-level qualification. T he 2027 National Planning Level stays at 295,000. Rob's take: stopping dependants who share a house and a car does nothing for cost of living, and cutting third-year backpacker visas from 31,000 to 5,000 pulls 26,000 workers out of regional Australia. Lots more is packed into this episode too! See you at AIEC in three weeks! Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia's Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host.The podcast wouldn't be possible without The Koala News, Australia's international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets.Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: https://aiec.idp.com

In this special edition of Global Horizons, Dirk Mulder sits down with Sunil Jaggi, Managing Director of Auscan Consultants and committee member of the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India. Recorded on Larrakia country in Darwin during a StudyNT agent familiarisation visit, the conversation explores how the role of the education agent has changed over the past 25 years, from fax machines and postal applications to AI, ChatGPT and students arriving with far more information than ever before. Sunil reflects on his own experience as a former international student, why agents remain important in helping students make informed decisions, and why “fit” matters more than rankings alone. The episode also looks at the value of agent familiarisation tours, with Sunil explaining how visiting Darwin has changed his understanding of the Northern Territory, its lifestyle, its community, its institutions and the opportunities available to international students. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Sunil Jaggi’s journey from international student to education agent✅ How student recruitment has changed over 25 years✅ Why agents still matter in the age of AI✅ The importance of fit when choosing a course and destination✅ What StudyNT’s Darwin familiarisation visit revealed✅ Current student confusion around Australian policy changes The conversation also touches on the T20 Top End cricket tournament, Darwin’s accessibility and community feel, and the uncertainty many students and agents are currently facing as Australia considers further changes to migration and international education settings. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aiec.idp.com

In this episode of Global Horizons, Rob and Dirk work through a packed international education runsheet, moving from Australia-Africa university collaboration to regulation, New Zealand’s export recovery and student accommodation. The episode begins with Australia-Africa Week in Perth, where the Australia Africa Universities Network launched its 2030 strategy and made the case for higher education, research and training to become a central pillar of Australia-Africa relations. Rob and Dirk then turn to the federal government’s move to suspend and cancel CRICOS registrations for the BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning), asking whether banning one course will actually fix the onshore pipeline, or simply push the market somewhere else. The conversation also looks across the Tasman, where New Zealand’s international education exports have climbed back above pre-Covid levels, despite student numbers remaining below their 2019 peak. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Australia-Africa university collaboration and the AAUN 2030 strategy✅ The BSB80120 ban and Australia’s onshore pipeline✅ Why course bans may not fix deeper business model problems✅ New Zealand’s international education export recovery✅ Vale to Mick Stevens✅ Student accommodation and the new Gender-Based Violence Code It is a wide-ranging episode about partnerships, policy, regulation, recovery and practical questions facing the international education sector. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email [email protected] Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠⁠⁠https://aiec.idp.com

In this episode of Global Horizons, Rob Malicki and Dirk Mulder return with a wide-ranging news discussion covering Nepal, the Northern Territory, student accommodation, sector advocacy and the growing divide between state and federal views on international education. The episode begins with the devastating news from Nepal, and Rob and Dirk reflect on the deep connections between Nepal and Australia’s international education community. Dirk then shares highlights from his time in Darwin, where StudyNT used the Top End T20 cricket tournament as a smart platform to tell the Northern Territory’s international education story to key markets across South Asia. Rob and Dirk also discuss the growing support for international education from state leaders, the federal government’s migration settings, and Carolyn Evans’ National Press Club speech about the risks of cutting back on migration, skills and international student enrolments without considering the consequences. In this episode, we cover: ✅ The tragic news from Nepal✅ Dirk’s visit to Darwin and the StudyNT story✅ The Top End T20 cricket tournament✅ State government support for international education✅ Carolyn Evans’ National Press Club speech✅ Student accommodation and PBSA developments The episode also looks at the opening of more student accommodation at Griffith Gold Coast, the need for tenancy rules that recognise student housing models, and the upcoming ISANA, English Australia and AIEC conferences. It is a thoughtful episode about tragedy, recovery, advocacy, housing, politics and the continuing need to tell the story of international education clearly and confidently. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email [email protected] Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠⁠⁠https://aiec.idp.com

In this special edition of Global Horizons, Dirk Mulder sits down with Northern Territory Minister Robyn Cahill in Darwin. Recorded on Larrakia country, the conversation explores what international education means to the Northern Territory, and why the Territory sees international students as central to its community, workforce, economy and future. The episode begins with reflections on the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal, and the impact on the Nepalese student community in the Northern Territory. From there, Dirk and Minister Cahill discuss what makes Darwin and the Northern Territory different: its multicultural community, close connection to Asia, strong employment pathways, relaxed lifestyle and deep sense of welcome. They also explore the role of StudyNT, the importance of air connectivity, the Territory’s growing focus on Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and the clever use of T20 cricket to tell the StudyNT story into key international markets. In this episode, we cover: ✅ The Northern Territory’s international education story✅ Darwin’s multicultural community and lifestyle✅ Why Nepal matters deeply to the StudyNT community✅ The Territory’s connection to Asia✅ Employment pathways for international students✅ StudyNT’s sponsorship of T20 cricket Minister Cahill also makes the case for why the Northern Territory needs a different national conversation on migration and international students. This is a conversation about welcome, opportunity, community and why international education matters so much to the future of the Territory. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia’s unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email ⁠[email protected]⁠ Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠⁠https://aiec.idp.com

In this episode of Global Horizons, I'm doing something a bit different. With the 40th AIEC conference coming up at speed, I decided to take a solid look through the program and start trying to figure out what I might attend. ... ouch... it was a LOT harder than I expected, because there's just so much on the agenda this year! If you haven't yet had a chance to look through the agenda, this short episode will give you an idea of what's coming... and why it's super important to lock in your place at the conference sooner rather than later! Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia’s unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠https://aiec.idp.com

Tourism Australia has a $13.5 billion vulnerability hiding in plain sight. Its new Tourism 2035 strategy talks about growing visitor spending, encouraging longer stays and extracting more value from tourism. But international education barely gets a look in. That’s remarkable when education-related visitors generated $15.3 billion in tourism expenditure, compared with $13.5 billion from holiday visitors. In this episode of Global Horizons, Dirk Mulder and I dig into what that omission says about the way Australia thinks about international education, tourism and migration. We also get into: • The state of Learning Abroad after this year’s national forum • Whether Australia should rediscover the humble study tour • What the latest Navitas Agent Perception Survey tells us about changing student behaviour • Why AI might actually make good education agents more important • The international education conference season ahead And, naturally, Dirk tells us about the time he unexpectedly found himself standing in front of up to 2,000 students in India with absolutely nothing prepared. Just another quiet week in international education. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia’s unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: https://aiec.idp.com

In this episode of Global Horizons, Rob Malicki sits down with Rick Chapman on the shores of Balmoral Beach in Sydney. Rick’s career started in fast-moving consumer goods, working with iconic brands including Guinness, Arnott’s, Tim Tams, Kit Kat and Milo. He then made the move into education, bringing deep marketing and brand experience into a sector with a very different purpose. Rob and Rick talk about what makes a great brand, why creativity still matters, and what higher education can learn from consumer marketing. They also explore the challenge of telling the story of Australian education. Universities and education providers have so much to say, but often struggle to communicate their value clearly and consistently. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Rick’s career in consumer marketing✅ What made Guinness such a powerful brand✅ The move from FMCG into education✅ Why higher education needs stronger brand thinking✅ The challenge of telling Australia’s education story✅ Why relationships still matter in international education This is a conversation about marketing, storytelling, relationships and the value of education. It is also a reminder that while the tools of marketing keep changing, the fundamentals still matter: know your audience, tell a clear story, and build trust over time. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia’s unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: https://aiec.idp.com

Rob and Dirk are back for a new episode of Global Horizons, with Rob returning from France and Dirk recovering after a rough bout of flu. This episode covers a busy fortnight in international education, starting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia and the continued focus on transnational education. Rob and Dirk discuss Australia’s growing offshore education activity, including new developments in India and Sri Lanka, and the opportunities and risks that come with TNE. They also reflect on the importance of quality, oversight and making sure offshore delivery matches the strength of Australian education. The conversation then moves to government and regulation, including feedback from PIE Live, growing sector frustration, and TEQSA’s new consultations on TNE reporting and ESOS registration renewals. There is also a reminder about the Australian Census, and why international students should be encouraged to take part. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Australia’s growing focus on transnational education✅ New TNE activity in India and Sri Lanka✅ Quality risks and oversight in offshore delivery✅ TEQSA’s consultations on TNE and ESOS✅ Why international students should complete the Census✅ Two positive stories: Gut Goose and Faizaan Atal The episode finishes with two strong good-news stories: Gut Goose, a Queensland startup accepted into Y Combinator, and Faizaan Atal’s journey from refugee to Western Sydney University student through the Australian Refugee Student Settlement Pathway. It is a wide-ranging episode about policy, quality, data, innovation and the human stories that sit at the heart of international education. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email [email protected] Registrations are open now: https://aiec.idp.com

In this episode of Global Horizons, Dirk Mulder sits down with Caroline Hartnett, Director of Study Melbourne, following the launch of Victoria’s refreshed international education strategy, Study with Victoria. Recorded at the Study Melbourne Hub in Hardware Lane, the conversation explores how Victoria is thinking about the next phase of international education after the recovery years. Caroline discusses the five pillars of the strategy: student experience, employability and alumni connections, promotion of Victoria’s education offering, global connections and partnerships, and collaboration across the sector. A major theme of the conversation is transnational education, and how Victorian institutions can support students to study with Victoria from anywhere in the world. Caroline also talks about the importance of offshore pathways, the Yes to International Student Fund, and why TNE can help students build confidence before coming to Australia. The episode also explores the importance of collaboration, with Caroline highlighting that Study Melbourne’s work only matters because of the education providers, institutions and sector partners behind it. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Victoria’s refreshed Study with Victoria strategy ✅ The five pillars guiding the strategy ✅ Why student experience remains central ✅ Victoria’s strength in transnational education ✅ The Yes to International Student Fund ✅ Why collaboration is key to the sector’s success This is a focused conversation about Victoria’s international education future, and how the state is backing students, providers and global partnerships. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email [email protected] A reminder to colleagues that SUPER EARLY BIRD registrations for AIEC close TODAY (31st July). Get them here: https://aiec.idp.com/register-here

In this special edition of Global Horizons, Dirk Mulder sits down with Victorian Minister Steve Dimopoulos following the launch of Victoria’s refreshed International Education Strategy. Recorded at the Study Melbourne Hub in Hardware Lane, the conversation focuses on why international education matters so deeply to Victoria — not just as a major export, but as a source of jobs, global connections, innovation and long-term community impact. Minister Dimopoulos explains that Victoria is putting international students at the centre of its strategy, with a strong focus on student experience, welfare support, offshore study opportunities, and the role international students play in Victoria’s economy and society. The conversation also explores what makes Melbourne and Victoria distinctive: the culture, the events, the student support, the openness to the world, and the sense that international students are not just numbers in a system, but people whose families have trusted Australia to look after them. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Victoria’s refreshed International Education Strategy✅ The role of the Study Melbourne Hub✅ Why student experience matters so much✅ International education’s value to Victoria’s economy✅ Victoria’s focus on offshore and transnational education✅ Why Melbourne wants international students to feel safe, connected and heard This is a short, focused conversation about a state that is clearly backing international education and making the case for why international students matter. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia’s unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠⁠AIEC conference⁠⁠⁠⁠!

John Wood has had a front-row seat to some of the biggest moments in Australian higher education. In this episode of Global Horizons, Rob Malicki sits down with John to trace a remarkable career that moves from working-class Western Australia to Oxford, the Hawke government, ECU, Notre Dame, Navitas and the Centre for Stories. John was in Canberra in the mid-1980s when the decision was made to allow Australian universities to charge full fees for international students. At the time, no one could have known just how significant that decision would become for Australia’s economy, society and global engagement. From there, the conversation moves through John’s early life, his time at Oxford, the origins and growth of Navitas, and the people and ideas that shaped Australian international education. But this is also a conversation about stories. John reflects on the importance of giving people a voice, why higher education has struggled to tell its own story, and why universities need to reconnect with their public purpose and social licence. In this episode, we cover: ✅ John’s working-class upbringing and path to Oxford✅ His time working near Bob Hawke in Canberra✅ The decision to allow full-fee international students✅ The rise of Navitas and the pathway college model✅ The creation and purpose of the Centre for Stories✅ Why Australian higher education needs to tell its story better This is a wide-ranging conversation with one of Australian higher education’s great storytellers. It is about policy, opportunity, entrepreneurship, social purpose and the human stories that sit underneath it all. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email [email protected] Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: ⁠⁠AIEC conference⁠⁠⁠⁠!