IEAA News

Senate Inquiry into International Education

Written by: IEAA Secretariat, 18 Jun 2009

          AUSTRALIAN SENATE ENQUIRY INTO INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

The Australian Senate yesterday agreed to a Senate inquiry into international education.  This follows pressure from the Greens and a number of student and peak bodies, including IEAA.  The inquiry is to report by 16 November 2009.

The inquiry’s terms of reference are as follows.

That the following matters be referred to the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee for inquiry and report by November 16 2009:

a)      The roles and responsibilities of education providers, migration and education agents, state and federal governments, and relevant departments and embassies, in ensuring the quality and adequacy in information, advice, service delivery and support, with particular reference to:

•       Student safety;

•       Adequate and affordable accommodation;

•       Social inclusion;

•       Student Visa Requirements;

•       Adequate international student supports and advocacy;

•       Employment rights and protections from exploitation;

•       Appropriate pathways to permanency

b)      The identification of quality benchmarks and controls for service, advice and support for international students studying at an Australian education institution;

c)      And other related matters.

Membership of the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee is as follows:

Senator Humphries (Chair), Senator Marshall (Deputy Chair) and Senators Back, Cash, Collins and Hanson-Young.

Dennis Murray
Executive Director