Australia: we want more international students. you are worth $16b+ to us annually. (some estimates go to $30b of on-value)

Also Australia: Oh, covid: no money for you, indigent peons!

Basically, if you cannot afford to eat, as a displaced international student its begging, or starving. No help.

Truly amazing lack of insight into future study outcomes here.

We used to have a strategy called "the colombo plan" which was free tertiary education on a requirement to go back home and this built links into emerging economies which liked us.

Now, our strategy is to milk international students dry, keep the ones who can survive exclusionist immigration policy, and screw everyone over if the risk-side tanks. Great plan!