Independent Tertiary Education Council of Australia calls on the Commonwealth to register on-shore international education agents
“There is a small number of actors in the sector that appear more focussed individual short-term gains that do not benefit either students or providers and act to the long-term detriment of the sector,” ITECA’s Troy Williams says.
ITECA calls for,
* on-shore agents to be companies and subject to Commonwealth law, to exclude partnerships and sole traders
* amending the code of practice governing providers to international students so it applies to on-shore agents and establishing a complaint process
* requiring on-shore agents and providers to be “transparent” about commissions the latter pays the former
* agents should pay the cost of the registration scheme
The proposal follows ITECA and TAFE Directors Australia warning that some VET providers are offering on-shore internationals courses with “excessively low few and low study expectations” as cover for people on student visas working more hours than allowed (CMM September 7).