24 November 2009

Stronger checks to protect Australian Student Visa holders

The Australian Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard, has proposed a national regulator for the vocational training sector, a move that has been supported by most state education ministers and the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA).

A national regulator has seen to become increasingly important for the vocational training sector, which attracts thousands of overseas students to study in Australia.

The international education industry in Australia is a multi-million dollar sector, attracting some 386,523 students through Australian immigration in the year to 30 June 2009.

An Australian Student Visa can be easily applied for online or through an Australian High Commission, and gives many applicants the option of remaining in Australia with another visa after their study has been completed.

The MIA has been a strong advocate for stronger regulatory framework and monitoring of Australian education providers to protect international students who take up an Australian Student Visa.

“Federal and State Governments allowed the education industry to slip out of their hands. We hope a national regulator will tighten government’s focus to ensuring that the monitoring and enforcement of standards is adequate,” said Maurene Horder, CEO of the MIA.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their visa applications.