Party over for shonky international education providers

A crackdown on dodgy practices by education providers is being welcomed as a key stakeholder declares “enough is enough”. International students will get greater protection with changes to the education system, with the introduction of risk indicators across the sector to boost compliance and stop exploitation.

Standards governing educational centres with international students will be increased with owners banned from having a stake in education agent businesses. Agent commissions will be banned for international student transfers in a bid to crack down on student poaching.

It follows revelations overseas agents had been exploiting the market through earning bonuses when bringing foreign students to Australia. Universities Australia CEO Catriona Jackson says the federal government crackdown will help protect students from unscrupulous operators.

“Universities have called for action in this space and the enhanced monitoring and compliance measures announced today send a firm message to dodgy agents that we are cracking down,” she said in a statement on Monday.