Protection mechanisms to safeguard the interests of overseas students under the ESOS Act 2000

Updated on: Monday, October 08, 2012

Peter Varghese, Australia’s high commissioner to India, on October 3 said that Indian students affected by the foreshadowed closure of three colleges in Australia will be covered by a legislated safety net. “The Australian government has in place a comprehensive suite of protection mechanisms to safeguard the interests of overseas students under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (the ESOS Act),” he said.

“If these education providers do close and do not meet their obligations to students, international students will be able to access the Australian Government’s Tuition Protection Scheme (TPS). The TPS will seek to place affected students in an alternative course or refund any unspent pre-paid tuition fees to the students.” Further information can be found on the TPS website. “Australia is committed to maintaining high education standards and undertaking rigorous auditing of education providers,” added Varghese.

Varghese was commenting on the move by Australia’s vocational education regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), to shut down two non compliant vocational education and training colleges in Victoria and one in New South Wales.

Depending on the outcome of any appeals, the decisions take effect from October 30 and apply to all courses offered by The Ashmark Group Pty Ltd and G Plus G Global Trading Pty Ltd. Both colleges have campuses in Melbourne, Victoria. ASQA also served notice last month on the Ivy Group in New South Wales.

For further information visit https://tps.gov.au/Home/NotLoggedIn, http://www.asqa.gov.au/media-and-publications/media-releases.html

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