Summary of Recommendations
Recommendation 1
The committee recommends that international students be
provided with personal safety information including reporting requirements, prior
to coming to Australia. This should be reinforced at the orientation session
provided by the relevant provider.
Recommendation 2
The committee supports public transport concessions for
international students. It recommends that the Commonwealth again recommend to
the states of Victoria and New South Wales that they introduce such travel concessions
for international students.
Recommendation 3
The committee also recommends that all states undertake an
audit of the travel concessions given to international students with the aim of
standardising them.
Recommendation 4
The committee recommends that education and training
providers should be required to provide up to date information on their website
regarding accommodation in Australia, including information regarding tenancy
rights and responsibilities. This may be via a link to the Study in
Australia website, however, it may also include more localised information.
Recommendation 5
The committee recommends that DIAC undertake a review of the
appropriateness of the 20-hour limit on working hours for international students.
Recommendation 6
The committee recommends that the issue of voluntary work
not counting towards employment hours be clarified in material provided by
DEEWR.
Recommendation 7
The committee recommends that DIAC undertake a review of the
ability to use discretion or a compassionate exemption for students with work
rights who breach their visa conditions in relation to work.
Recommendation 8
The committee recommends that:
-
students receive information packs, based upon resources such
as the Study in Australia website and the Rainbow Guide, in hard copy
and preferably in the language of the country of departure at the time their
visas are granted. The information packs should include comprehensive information
regarding tuition and extra fees; living costs including all relevant expenses
such as accommodation and health; employment opportunities; rights conferred by
law (including tenancy rights and employment rights); dispute resolution
procedures and relevant contact organisations; and support services and
amenities.
-
both the online manual and hard copies should include
state-specific information, detailing the various rules, laws and rights
applicable in each state and territory.
Recommendation 9
The committee recommends the jurisdiction of the
Commonwealth Ombudsman be extended to cover the international education sector.
Recommendation 10
The committee recommends that TEQSA (Tertiary Education
Quality and Standards Agency) and the national body to be developed for the VET
sector adapt the registration process to develop a comparative information tool
on education providers. This information tool should differentiate between the
capacity of providers by comparing such things as the level and quality of
support services available to students. The information tool would be made
available on a relevant website.
Recommendation 11
The committee recommends that, to improve enforcement, the
National Code be reviewed by the new national regulatory authorities for higher
education and the VET sector, in consultation with stakeholders, to provide
clarity and specify details of minimum standards upon which registration would
be dependent.
Recommendation 12
The committee recommends that clear and timely mechanisms must
be developed by the regulatory authorities and peak bodies to ensure that, if a
provider closes, students are informed of their rights and of either getting
their money back or transferring to a new course. Students also need to be made
aware of the avenues they can use to ask questions or lodge complaints.
Recommendation 13
The committee recommends that in engaging agents overseas,
DEEWR ensures that agents and sub-agents are able to access authoritative
information regarding studying in Australia.
Recommendation 14
The committee recommends DIAC continue to expand the eVisa
system, as an effective tool to encourage professional conduct of overseas
agents.
Recommendation 15
The committee recommends that providers deal exclusively
with education agents who have successfully completed an appropriate course
such as the EATC and that this requirement be phased in over the next three
years.
Recommendation 16
The committee recommends that as a matter of urgency the
issue of medical internships receive priority in workforce planning and that this
be the subject of a special study by Health Workforce Australia.
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page