The year 2024 has been a year of significant regulatory shifts in the education agent space across multiple countries. While the intent behind these reforms is clear—to improve transparency, accountability, and student protection—the key challenge will be in implementation and enforcement.

  1. Australia

The Australian government introduced changes to the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (National Code 2018), focusing on increased transparency and accountability for agent relationships. The aim is to implement a greater regulation of education agents, however the onus is on the registered providers. 

Some of the key updates include:

  • Mandatory reporting of agent performance metrics: Education providers must now report recruitment data, visa outcomes, and complaint rates related to their agents. (This is done through the PRISMS reporting system).
  • Stronger monitoring and compliance requirements: Providers are expected to implement detailed agent management frameworks, including regular audits and reviews.
  • A proposed public register of education agents: The government is considering a centralised database where institutions must list their contracted agents, allowing for greater oversight.

Additionally, the migration policy settings have been adjusted to ensure that offshore recruitment is aligned with genuine student intentions. This is particularly relevant in light of the ongoing investigations into fraudulent student visa applications.

2. Canada

The international education sector in Canada has experienced major shifts in 2024, particularly in response to concerns around agent practices and student recruitment. It has been reported to number of agents participated in fraudulent applications and people smuggling to the USA.

One key initiative is British Columbia’s Education Quality Assurance Code of Practice, took effect in January 2025. Some key aspects include:

  • Institutional responsibility: Colleges and universities are accountable for their agents’ actions, including all representations made to students.
  • Agent management requirements: Institutions must have practices in place for monitoring agents, including reference checks, formal contracts, and strict information provision requirements.
  • Prohibited agent activities: Institutions cannot accept students from agents engaged in unethical practices, such as unauthorised immigration advice.
  • Transparency obligations: Institutions must provide details on their agency relationships, including contracts, advertising materials, and assessment records, upon request.

3. United Kingdom

In May 2024, the UK Rapid Review reported on multiple instances of poor agent practices and highlighted the sector’s lack of transparency. The report included key recommendations, such as establishing a mandatory registration system for education agents and requiring universities to publish data on agent-related expenditures and student recruitment numbers.

According to the BUILA website, around 140 universities and other entities have now signed the UK Agent Quality Framework pledge. Discussions involving the Department for Education (DfE), the Home Office, and other stakeholders have considered ways to strengthen this framework—potentially making it a requirement for all student sponsors. 

4. New Zealand

New Zealand has also taken steps to tighten regulations around education agents. In 2024, Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) introduced a Code of Agent Conduct. Some of the key requirements include:

  • A requirement for institutions to maintain direct oversight of agents, ensuring ethical recruitment practices.
  • Increased obligations on transparency and disclosure, including detailed reporting on recruitment numbers and visa success rates.
  • Greater focus on student protection measures, particularly in cases where agents provide misleading or inadequate guidance.

The New Zealand government has also indicated it will strengthen enforcement mechanisms, ensuring institutions that fail to properly monitor agents face regulatory consequences.

Final Thoughts

Will these new frameworks be implemented and monitored by the government, or will they remain merely symbolic? 

How will education providers and agents implement those monitoring and compliance requirements?

What do you think about these changes? Drop your insights in the comments!

#InternationalEducation #EducationAgents #StudentRecruitment #HigherEd #EdTech #UKEducation #CanadaEducation #AustraliaEducation #NewZealandEducation #AgentRegulation #StudentVisa #HigherEducationPolicy #EducationCompliance #EdPolicy #EducationReform #GlobalEducation #StudyAbroad #QualityAssurance #TransparencyInEducation