The Albanese Government says it is taking steps to enhance integrity in the international education sector. 

The Government has unveiled a series of measures targeting critical integrity concerns highlighted in the Nixon Review, specifically focusing on the exploitation of Australia's visa system. 

As part of the response, a system of risk indicators will be established across international education, intended to serve as the foundation for a monitoring framework to drive targeted compliance efforts by educational regulators.

Additionally, amendments to the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) will be introduced to reinforce the existing “fit and proper provider” evaluation process. 

The Government says this enhancement will elevate the standards required to obtain and maintain provider registration while preventing the cross-ownership of businesses between educational providers and agents.

To further curb unethical practices, agent commissions on student transfers between providers within Australia will be prohibited. 

Additionally, educational institutions will gain greater access to agent performance data, such as student completion rates and visa rejection rates.

They follow earlier reforms in August that addressed a loophole used to redirect students with less than six months in the country to new providers for work purposes instead of educational pursuits.

“International students are back, but so are the shonks seeking to exploit them and undermine our international education system,” says Minister for Education, Jason Clare.

“That’s why we are acting.

“Students from around the world choose to come here first and foremost for the high-quality education we offer.

“The Nixon Review identified the need to increase monitoring and compliance in the international education sector and the Government is responding. 

“The Government will outline further measures to crack down on dodgy and unscrupulous players in the international education sector in the next few days.”

Dr Abul Rizvi, an Independent Australia columnist and former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration, has analysed the proposed changes and questioned how regulators will actually use risk indicators. The efficacy of these changes, she argues, will depend on objective benchmarks and stronger enforcement.