Review of Overseas Student Industry

Over the past few months in Australia, it has come to light, that there are fundamental flaws in the overseas Student Industry. There have been several TV shows specifically highlighting this issue as well as other forms of media. Of course this has therefore forced the Australian Government to take positive action to stem the criticism of the current situation, as currently, this is the 3rd largest export industry for Australia.

The Honourable Ms Julia Gillard MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education made a press release on the 8th August 2009, and a section of this press release has been quoted on our site to enable an acurate account of this announcement.

“Bruce Baird to head up international students review

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today announced that former Federal Member for Cook, The Hon Bruce Baird, will head up a review into international education in Australia.

Mr Baird will review the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act and report back to the Government with changes designed to ensure Australia continues to offer world class quality international education in this challenging and changing environment.

The Review will consider the need for enhancements to the ESOS legal framework in four key areas:

• Supporting the interests of students
• Delivering quality as the cornerstone of Australian education
• Effective regulation
• Sustainability of the international education sector

An issues paper will be released on the DEEWR website in the coming weeks, outlining the key issues for the international education sector and inviting written submissions from September 2009.

Mr Baird will hold targeted forums with groups including state and territory government officials, regulatory bodies, education providers, student bodies and diplomatic missions. He will also draw from the results of the International Student Round Table to be held in Canberra in early September.

An interim report from the Review will be presented for consideration by the COAG in November 2009, with a final report expected in early 2010.”

DEEWR is an acronym for Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

COAG is an acronym for Council of Australian Governments – COAG is the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia, comprising the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).