The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, announced in August 2009 that former Federal Member for Cook, The Hon Bruce Baird, will head up a review into international education in Australia.

Mr Baird is reviewing the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act and will be reporting back to the Government with changes designed to ensure Australia continues to offer world class quality international education after numerous recent media reports that highlight various issues with the current system.
 
So far the head of the review, Bruce Baird, has called for submissions to gather stakeholder input on what is working, and what could be improved to support Australia’s international education and training sector. He has also held an International Student Roundtable which involved 31 international students studying in Australia.

The results of the review are expected in early 2010.

Two recent articles suggest that the results of the review can’t come soon enough, with MIA and peak overseas student bodies backing a federal takeover of failed state powers over private colleges.

Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) warned that enforcement of state regulation had been so inadequate, the commonwealth should take over.

 "Standards have dropped to be of concern and there's been growth in very poor educational institutions," MIA chief executive Maurene Horder told the HES. "If the states can't deal with it - which is demonstrated by the failures - then the federal government should deal with it."

The Executive Director of International Education Association of Australia, Dennis Murray, also agrees with this point of view. He has said a takeover was the only way to guarantee the quality of Australian qualifications, and protect overseas and fee-paying Australian students.

In 2009 twelve international education providers have closed, which has affected over 4700 students and more are predicted to close. The Australian Government has introduced measures to assist students who are affected by these closures (more details available - click here.)

These closures just highlight the need for central regulatory body, with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard blaming state regulators for the crisis.

Sources:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/ministers/gillard/media/releases/pages/article_090923_110553.aspx
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/private-college-system-a-fiasco-in-need-of-a-fix-20091123-ixi3.html
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/takeover-plan-support/story-e6frgcjx-1225798891161
Comments (0)