Australia tightens norms to check dubious agents

Updated on: Monday, October 12, 2009

Creation of a registration system by the Indian Government for Indian students travelling overseas to study, development of a training module for pre-departure information for Indian students intending to study in Australia and provision of a student information service for prospective students and enabling them to verify claims made by education and enrolment agents were some of the key issues agreed upon by the Joint Working Group (JWG) on student mobility between India and Australia.

The group formed recently had its first meeting, in the aftermath of reported incidents of racism in Australia, at the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA). The delegations were led by G. Gurucharan, Joint Secretary, MOIA, and by Lachlan Strahan, Deputy High Commissioner, Australia, and Mr. Colin Walters, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Education International.

The meeting reached agreement on a number of practical measures for implementation with specific time lines to collaborate in developing robust regulatory mechanisms for the activities of education providers and enrolment agents in India and Australia. Developing a Memorandum of Understanding on the better management of student mobility between the two countries, including the exchange of information on undesirable or illegal activities of agents, and other information relating to the quality of education providers and agents;
Second meeting

The meeting agreed that an India–Australia Task force will fast track the issues discussed and report to the Joint Working Group, with a full timetable and deliverables. The next meeting of the group will take place in Australia in the second half of 2010.

The meeting noted that the development of tighter regulatory systems in India and Australia will require the agreement of joint operating protocols to underpin the regulation. Progress on this issue will also be reported to the Joint Working Group.

Australian team briefed on measures under way to improve international student well-being in Australia.

The International Students Strategy, being developed by the Council of Australian Governments under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Premiers of Australian States, which will tackle issues in the areas of provider quality, student accommodation, safety, employment and migration was explained.

The Australian group also briefed on the legislation introduced into the Australian Parliament which will require the re registration of all education providers able to enrol overseas students against tightened criteria by the end of 2010.

Australia is also coming out with a new manual for international students with comprehensive guidance about studying and living in Australia.

A joint statement said that India and Australia are determined to effectively tackle issues relating to ensuring quality among education agents and education providers.

Australia tightens norms to check dubious agents

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