Officials were investigating updating the education services for overseas students legislation –  now the scope is way wider

The Department of Education is asking the international ed sector how, “to remain internationally competitive and provide a quality student experience.”

To bring up to speed providers focused on building their business on Mars, the DoE spells what the industry wants addressed, unscrupulous practices associated with education agents … if unchecked, this behaviour could damage students and providers and threaten Australia’s reputation.

And so officials are asking;

* “what guidance or requirements for providers would be appropriate or helpful in managing the education agents from whom they accept students”

* how to keep agent commissions “at manageable levels”

* for ways to hold agents “accountable for unscrupulous behaviour”

* and “guidance and requirements” for HE providers so that agreements with international students are “fair, equitable and compliant” with Australian law. (The Commonwealth Ombudsman has (quite) a bit to say about this.

Last year consultants Nous suggested the Tuition Protection Service did ok for international students but could do with admin updates (they added locals did not need it), (CMM April 21 2022).

Now DoE says any admin changes to the ESOS framework are “currently under consideration” but what was a biggish deal then seems less so now, with way bigger problems with education agents on the agenda.

There are webinars on ESOS reform are on today and tomorrow.

The use of “requirements” might alarm providers who feel plenty-put upon by bureaucracy.