Harith Wickramasingha
Currently, about 90 percent of visa applications from countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Nepal for vocational courses face rejection, a rate the draft letter deems unjustifiably high
Proposed reforms aimed at restoring integrity to the international education system in Australia may lead to the closure of hundreds of colleges, warns a letter signed by a group of private Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions. The letter estimates that around 200 small providers among the 1,000 registered to teach international students are highly vulnerable to a proposal that would suspend colleges if visas are denied to at least 50 percent of their recruited students.
The impending crackdown on corrupt practices in international education raises concerns about the fate of a glut of colleges, with some potentially facing distress or collapse once the measures take effect. The letter emphasises the potential widespread impact on thousands of students, the Tuition Protection Scheme (TPS), and the Australian economy if such measures are implemented without sufficient justification.
The Australian government grapples with a significant increase in the number of temporary migrants, particularly international students, entering the country over the past year. As of June, the number of student visa holders reached an all-time high of 660,765, a surge of 203,000 from the beginning of the year.
Apart from serving as a source of cheap labor in sectors like hospitality, aged care, and cleaning, the influx of international students has added pressure to the already competitive rental market. Reports of corrupt practices by unscrupulous education agents and colleges, along with the misuse of student visas for employment, further complicate the situation.
Shocking Rejection Rates and the Battle for Justice
Currently, about 90 percent of visa applications from countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Nepal for vocational courses face rejection, a rate the draft letter deems unjustifiably high. The proposed reforms, expected to be in place by March at the earliest, are attributed to media exposure of corrupt practices, the regulator’s registration of new colleges during the pandemic, and government-initiated changes.
The letter contends that providers are grappling with severe revenue shortfalls and unhealthy competition, rendering the entire sector unsustainable. Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, suggests putting colleges offering questionable courses under increased scrutiny, particularly those in leadership and business fields.
The Government’s Blitz on Student Visa Abuses Unveiled
In recent months, the federal government has introduced various measures to curb abuses in the student visa system, including financial requirements for prospective students and closing loopholes that facilitate the movement of students between courses. The Australian Skills Quality Agency, the vocational education regulator, has been empowered to combat unethical behavior, and commissions for education agents poaching students will be banned.
Government data indicates a record-high number of visa applications for vocational courses in 2022-23, reaching 136,000, compared to the previous record of 103,000 in 2019-20. As these proposed reforms unfold, the future of numerous colleges hangs in the balance, potentially reshaping the landscape of international education in Australia.
