A paper published on 23rd September on Australian Student Visa by former Liberal MP Bruce Baird states that changes could be made to the system of getting a student visa. As it is reported, the total market for student visas is about $15 billion in Australia. Mr. Baird would be working in order to carry out a review of the market. Mr. Baird has however made several suggestions that may be affecting the legislation that governs the international student market.

The paper is a sensitizing review which has been accepted and disapproved by many critics. It states that Mr. Baird has considered the benefit of ‘regulatory mechanism for ensuring diversity’. By limiting the number of foreign students entering Australia to study, would be a good idea. The following would be done by restricting the number of Australian student visa holders that each educational institution is allowed to accept. Mr. Baird however suggested that he is interested to limit the number of foreign students from a single country by limiting the number that it can outsource. The results of having tons of foreign students studying in Australia are not appropriate for quality education. A high volume of international students could lead to a degraded study experience.

However, reacting to Mr. Baird’s propositions, much criticism has followed. Reacting to the same Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training stated that there are already “robust set of standards” in place. According to him, the existing rules should be ensured of quality instead of brining in new rules. Smith also expressed concerns that the changes proposed could go too far in terms of “dictating to people how their businesses should be run.”

The issue paper, which is a part of full review, was commissioned in August by Australian Government which aims to identify key areas in the improvement of educational system and the international students studying in Australia. Mr. Baird, has also asked international students to respond to the issue paper for getting an insight about the same. Present Australian students and those who are planning to study in Australia along with the stakeholders could also respond to the same. Addressing to that, Mr. Braid said, “This review is an opportunity for the sector to take stock, look at what is working, what could be improved”. The full results of the review are expected in early 2010 and the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Julia Gillard has welcomed the issue paper and has encouraged all stakeholders to read and respond to the same.

Source :- http://www.angadinfo.com

admin Study Abroad Study Visa Australia