Leveraging Technology in College Admissions   Education providers often rely on people – their staff or education agents to manage the recruitment and admission of international students, expanding their global reach and diversity. Human error and bias are inherent in the use of agents, which raises concerns about transparency, student interests, and the admissions process’s

The changing role of an education agent   I have been a part of the international education industry since 2002, and have witnessed significant changes in the landscape of international education, particularly in the role of education agents.   Historically, education agents were valued for complementing information with wisdom, empathy, and encouragement throughout the student’s

Student visa refused or cancelled – What is Section 48 bar?   If you have had a visa cancelled or refused since last arriving in Australia and you are either unlawful (that is – you do not hold a visa) or you hold a bridging visa, you are then in what is called “section 48

What is happening with the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)?   Since the budget release, there have been questions about what’s happening with the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). It seems the 189 Visa is slowly being deactivated and many people fear what the future brings and their chances of receiving invitations since the government

Advice for International Students and Their Agents: Navigating Australia’s Migration Program   The federal government recently announced Australia’s permanent migration program planning levels for the next financial year, setting it at 185,000 places. However, they also proposed a decrease in student visa grants to 260,000 per annum. Given these changes, it’s crucial for international students

Guide to Genuine Student Requirement for Australian Student Visas Introduction The Australian Government has replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement for student visas, effective from March 23, 2024. This new requirement applies to all student visa applications lodged on or after this date.    Understanding the Genuine Student

Understanding the Process of AAT Review for Refused Student Visas   Navigating the visa application process can be challenging, and receiving a refusal for a student visa can be disheartening. However, if an application has been refused, and the application was lodge in Australia, there is an option to request a review from the Administrative

Australian Student Visa: Requirements, Eligibility, Application Process and Fees update May, 2024   Over the past twenty years, Australia has become a popular travel destination, primarily because of its favorable lifestyle, close proximity to Asia, and high level of safety. The majority of students choose to pursue their education in Australia as their academic destination.

Australia’s visa landscape is set to undergo significant changes, particularly concerning the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and the 485 Temporary Graduate visa. These changes aim to address the evolving needs of Australia’s labor market and the ongoing assessment of skill shortages. Here’s a detailed look at the upcoming modifications and what they mean

Opinion: Is ownership of education agents the real issue?   The latest amendment to the ESOS (Education Services for Overseas Students) Act proposes a significant change: preventing the owners of education agents from also owning an education provider.    This move, aimed at eliminating potential conflicts of interest, has stirred considerable debate. On the surface,

It’s a matter of survival for private VET colleges   The landscape of vocational education and training (VET) in Australia is in dire need of reform and the need for specialisation is imminent. Many VET providers currently offer a wide array of courses, ranging from business management and accounting to cookery and painting. This broad

Budget 2025: Reforms in Australian Migration System The Australian Government has unveiled its Budget for 2025, marking a pivotal shift in the country’s migration system. This strategic reform aims to enhance economic prosperity while restoring the integrity of the migration process. Key highlights from the Migration Strategy have been outlined to guide these changes.  

International Education and Skills Strategic Framework – Our Analysis  On Saturday, the Australian government unveiled a draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework, outlining future directions for Australia’s international education and training sector. The draft was part of a joint media release titled “Next steps in ensuring the integrity and sustainability of the international sector,”

Leveraging Education Agents in College Admissions Education providers often rely on education agents to recruit international students, expanding their global reach and diversity. However, the use of agents comes with ethical concerns, particularly regarding transparency, student interests, and the integrity of the admissions process. Here’s how institutions can ethically engage with education agents: 1. Establish

No further stay for subclass 408 Visas holders   The Australian Government will move to reduce the ability of subclass 408 Covid Recovery Visa holders to go onto another student visa, as it was reported by the Koala News in their recent post. There are over 100k holders of those visas.   Understanding Subclass 408

5 red flags in relation to management of international students   We have compiled a list of the most typical problems encountered when dealing with foreign students. Registered Education Providers (REP) can save themselves a lot of trouble if they pay attention to the following list:    Non-Compliance with Student Visa Conditions: If an education

The Big Lie About Temporary Visas: A Broken Promise to International Students   Is the current immigration bubble caused by the government itself?  Promises Made in the Wake of the Pandemic Following 2020, when the global economy experienced a downturn not seen in generations, the previous Liberal government of Australia advocated for immigration as a

Australian government to impose caps on international student numbers   It has been reported today by the Australian, that the Albanese government plans to implement a cap on the number of new international students each university or college can enroll as a strategy to reduce migration.    This new regulation will predominantly affect the small

Australia’s financial requirement for international students rises again   Australian government raised the amount of savings needed by international students to gain student visas from 10 May 2024.    The financial capacity requirement is increased for the second time in seven months and the international students are now required to show proof of savings of

A Crossroads for Vocational Education in Australia: What Lies Ahead?   The Impending Impact on Students and Institutions   Australia’s vocational education sector stands at a pivotal juncture. Recent policy shifts signal significant transformations, particularly affecting international students and private training organisations (RTOs). With sweeping changes on the horizon—from financial prerequisites to regulatory scrutiny—the landscape