Kathmandu — Australian Ambassador to Nepal Simon Ernst has highlighted the importance of strengthening the education partnership between Australia and Nepal, describing education as one of the strongest threads connecting the two countries.
Addressing the eighth anniversary program of the Australian Education Representatives in Nepal (AAERI Nepal), Ambassador Ernst said education remains one of the strongest threads connecting Australia and Nepal, with thousands of Nepali students choosing Australia each year to pursue their studies and ambitions.
He said international students gain not only skills and knowledge in Australia but also build friendships, professional networks and lasting connections between the two countries. He also highlighted the role of AAERI Nepal in promoting credibility, integrity and ethical practice in the recruitment of students for Australian institutions.
According to Ernst, the Australian Government’s migration reforms are designed around three practical questions: “who arrives, who stays and who leaves”. The reforms include stronger compliance measures, action to address visa hopping and applications without merit, changes to visitor and working holiday arrangements, and more targeted skilled visa processing in priority sectors.
He said the government is also taking measures to protect the integrity of the student visa pathway. Genuine academic progression, including moving to a higher qualification, will remain possible. However, repeated course changes primarily intended to extend a person’s stay rather than pursue a credible educational objective will be discouraged.
“The purpose is to sustain a system that protects genuine students, maintains public confidence and aligns migration outcomes with Australia’s skills, productivity and strategic priorities,” Ernst said.
He urged prospective students and their families to plan carefully, rely on official information, select courses for genuine educational reasons and ensure that visa applications accurately reflect their individual circumstances.
Ernst also said Australia continues to welcome international students who are genuinely seeking high-quality education that can enhance their career and life prospects.
Australia Stands With Nepal Following Floods
At the program, Ambassador Ernst also expressed Australia’s solidarity with those affected by the recent devastating floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot and near regions.
He extended condolences to those who had lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods and acknowledged the difficult recovery and rebuilding process facing affected communities. He also expressed concern for the 34 Australians who remained unaccounted for and thanked Nepali authorities, including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), for their support and leadership during the crisis.
Ernst said the Australian Government had so far committed 11 million Australian dollars for the initial disaster response, while a further 16 million Australian dollars had been donated by the Australian public.
He said further assistance for recovery and resilience-building would follow, adding that the tragedy underscored the importance of stronger disaster preparedness and greater climate resilience.
According to Ernst, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Nepali Prime Minister Balen Shah had met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Albanese pledged to continue working with Nepal to get hope to where it is needed most. He also said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Nepali Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal had met in New York.
Ernst further said Nepal would participate, led by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal , in the pre-Conference of Parties Leaders Summit to be held in Fiji and Tuvalu in the coming weeks, at the invitation of Australia, Fiji and Tuvalu. He described the summit as another opportunity for Nepal to bring its perspectives and priorities to international climate discussions and strengthen bilateral ties.
Education Partnership Beyond Student Mobility
Ambassador Ernst said the Australia-Nepal education partnership is about more than student mobility. According to him, it also contributes to developing Nepal’s human resources, strengthening institutions, supporting innovation and creating foundations for long-term prosperity in both countries.
He said Australia and Nepal’s people-to-people bonds are strengthened through international education and highlighted the contribution of students, alumni, educators, families and professionals in bringing the two countries closer together.
Concluding his remarks, Ernst thanked AAERI Nepal for organizing the forum and for its eight years of service in Nepal’s international education sector. He also acknowledged the sponsors and partners supporting the event and reaffirmed the importance of quality, integrity and educational opportunity in shaping the next chapter of the Australia-Nepal partnership.
