SENATOR THE HON CHRIS EVANS
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations
Leader of the Government in the Senate
International Students Strategy for Australia released
The wellbeing of international students, the quality of their educational experience and the provision of up-to-date and accurate information are central to the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) International Students Strategy for Australia released today by Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans.
The Strategy outlines 12 initiatives to address four key areas of concern including: international student wellbeing, consumer protection, the quality of international education and the availability of better information for international students.
In April this year, COAG committed to a range of practical initiatives to better support international students, as part of the Strategy. These include:
- A national community engagement strategy that will facilitate connections between international students and the broader community, including increased understanding of rights and support services;
- The development of an International Student Consultative Committee in the first half of 2011;
- The Study in Australia information portal, which has been providing authoritative, comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date information for current and prospective students on studying and living in Australia. The portal has been active since 1 July 2010, with information in 12 languages.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is now compulsory for international students for the proposed duration of their student visit, not just their first year.
Other measures outlined in the Strategy include international student surveys, the requirement for providers to develop student safety plans, the establishment of provider closure taskforces, and a strengthened Australian Quality Training Framework and Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act.
Senator Evans said the Strategy will help promote a broader understanding of the benefits brought by international education to Australia and the countries from which international students come.
“It will also place Australia's international education on a more sustainable basis,” he said.
“This approach complements the Government’s response to the Baird Review and builds on initiatives undertaken at all levels of government to improve international students’ experiences in Australia.”
The Strategy is available on the Council of Australian Governments’ website at www.coag.gov.au.
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