The Australian government has announced measures to tighten regulations surrounding international education providers in response to ongoing integrity issues. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated that the government would address the rorts and loopholes that have plagued the system. The move comes after an independent review of Australia’s visa system, known as the Nixon review, identified serious integrity issues in the sector.
The review found that some educational agents were falsifying documents to help international students obtain visas, with some even engaging in student visa fraud. Additionally, there were cases of education providers colluding with agents to facilitate student visas and involve students in criminal activities such as prostitution. In 2015, unregulated education agents received around $250 million from Australian universities annually, despite many being corrupt and involved in fraud.
Under the new changes, the government will introduce risk indicators to monitor compliance across the sector. It will also raise the standards required for registration and prohibit owners of educational centers from having a stake in migration agencies. Furthermore, agents will be banned from receiving commissions when transferring international students. These measures aim to prevent unscrupulous agents and providers from engaging in student poaching.
The government has also promised greater transparency in the recruitment of international students. Education providers will have access to agent performance data, such as student completion rates and visa rejection rates, to help them select qualified partners.
Education Minister Jason Clare stated that these measures would strengthen the integrity of Australia’s international education system. He acknowledged that while international students were returning, there was a need to address exploitation and protect the system.
Meanwhile, Universities Australia, a peak industry body, expressed support for the government’s crackdown. CEO Catriona Jackson emphasized the importance of prioritizing students and maintaining the integrity of the sector.
The government’s announcement comes as top Australian universities experience a decline in global rankings. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, several universities dropped in rank. Phil Baty, the Chief Global Affairs Officer at Times Higher Education, highlighted the impact of the pandemic on rankings and urged the Australian government to pay attention to the education system and provide more funding for university research.