In a passionate address to parliament, Labor MP Julian Hill has called for "nuclear" reforms to tackle the issue of poor-quality vocational educators within the international education sector.
Hill, who previously served as the executive director of international education in the Victorian government, highlighted concerns about the exploitation of Australia's student visa system, which he claims is being used as a "low-rent work visa."
According to The Guardian, he proposed implementing drastic measures, such as suspending intakes for low-quality courses and preventing internal assessments, to ensure the integrity and quality of education in the country.
Challenges within the International Education System
Hill's proposals come in the wake of shocking allegations raised during the parliamentary committee's inquiry into vocational education and training (VET) providers.
Reports suggest that these providers have been "gaming the system" by collaborating with unregulated international education agents. The agents are accused of diverting students from reputable public institutions through the promise of massive commissions, facilitating the sale of work visas, and even establishing "ghost schools" where students receive degrees without attending classes. These practices have tarnished the reputation of Australia's international education sector.
During his parliamentary address, Hill emphasized the crucial role of the international student sector in Australia's prosperity. However, he stressed the need for radical reforms to eliminate the minority of students who exploit the system for work purposes rather than genuine study.
Hill called for a comprehensive revamp of the accreditation framework for private VET providers, separating training from assessment, similar to year 12 certificates. He suggested the suspension of enrollments in "low-value" courses and banning the payment of education agent commissions for onshore students.
To ensure the quality of education, Hill underscored the importance of proper testing and assessment. He expressed concerns about the current reliance on paperwork inspections by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) as a proxy for quality, which allows dubious providers to persist.
Hill advocated for external assessments of students from higher-risk private VET providers, which he believed would expose inadequate practices and prompt ASQA to take swift action against those offering substandard qualifications.
Contemplating Course Enrollments and Migration Pathways
Hill addressed the issue of enrollment in non-vocational courses, questioning their value and relevance to Australia's educational objectives. He expressed concern about the large numbers of international students enrolled in certificates and diplomas in marketing, leadership, and business, with limited migration pathways available. Highlighting the prevalence of students prioritizing work over studies, he urged a critical examination of the benefits Australia derives from such enrollments.
The parliamentary inquiry has uncovered alarming allegations about education agents operating as intermediaries between students and private providers. Hill referred to the agents as "rapacious onshore agents" who undermine the sector's integrity by bribing and diverting students from universities to low-cost VET providers. He called for stricter regulation and the complete elimination of commissions paid to agents for onshore students to ensure transparency and prevent further exploitation.
Julian Hill's call for "nuclear" reforms highlights the urgent need to address the poor quality of courses offered by international education providers.
The proposed measures aim to protect the integrity of Australia's education system and ensure that international students receive quality education aligned with their goals. As the government considers these reforms, it must strike a balance between supporting the international student sector's growth and maintaining the highest standards of education, safeguarding Australia's reputation as a leading destination for global learners.
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