In January the feds lifted time limits on hours international students can work – the training regulator wants providers to handle the resulting problem

The decision, to be reviewed in April, is a change to the long-running restriction on working hours (40 per fortnight) with policy in the past always emphasising study. The Australian Skills Quality Authority acknowledges the decision was made by the government to, “help alleviate current workforce shortages.” But ASQA makes it plain that it expects providers to ensure students’ studies don’t suffer.

Not that VET providers can necessarily demonstrate they tried to warn government about visa holders working more and studying less. As ASQA acknowledges, “providers may need to wait for up to six months before reporting students who are not meeting course progress or attendance.” But the authority adds “vigilance is required to identify whether course requirements are being met.”

And ASQA is watching – “ we are closely monitoring VET and ELICOS providers to ensure students receive quality outcomes, particularly in the context of COVID-19.”

Could bodgy colleges enrol students and ignore they aren’t studying, or are given the facilities they need to do so, you ask. You mean like happened in the great cookery college scandal of  2010? CMM replies. Who knows? But as Dirk Mulder points out, In 2010, there were 10 117 cookery students, in February 2020 there were 19 814, (CMM April 28 2020).

There may well be plenty for ASQA to observe – but it could be tough on legit colleges charged with enforcing study standards the Commonwealth has made it easier to bend.