Sydney: Australia's international student sector, the third-largest export earner behind oil and coal, could be more at risk from within, with education agents and colleges ripping off students, than from recent attacks on Indian students.Education experts are calling on Australia to overhaul the $13 billion (Australian dollars) international student sector as reports emerge of private colleges allegedly taking under the counter payments for certificates, bogus work references and residency visas.
"In many cases landlords, bosses, immigration agents and education institutions are ripping off our Indian students," said the Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA).
"Indian community groups need to name and shame these people who are bringing the reputation of Indians in to disrepute and exploiting Indian students. Each community group could publish the name of 'rip-off merchants' on their websites so that students know exactly who they should avoid," said FISA.
The Immigration Department said on Friday that it was investigating 23 Victorian and five New South Wales state education institutions in April for possible breaches of immigration laws. It would not say how many were currently under investigation. Local media say more than 60 Victorian foreign students currently risk deportation over false documents. "Any shonky (fly by night) operators will reduce the reputation of us all, quite apart from safety issues, low quality standards of education affect 'brand Australia'," said Chief Executive of the Universities Australia, Glenn Withers.
The Migration Institute of Australia has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the international education sector, citing the need to crack down on local and overseas education agents who, unlike migration agents, can act without regulation.
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