The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has reiterated its commitment to addressing the delivery of quality education to international students, with a specific focus on unethical practices by third-party education agents.
ASQA, in collaboration with the government, aims to ensure that training providers delivering Australian VET qualifications to international students adhere to their legislative obligations and maintain transparency and integrity in their recruitment processes.
This includes:
- Refraining from misleading or deceptive conduct
- Providing accurate information
- Avoiding false guarantees of migration outcomes in their marketing activities
Regulatory Expectations
Under the ESOS Act and National Code, training providers must comply with their legal obligations regarding recruiting students and providing courses. ASQA emphasises that unethical practices such as misleading or deceptive practices, false information, and misrepresenting courses or education services are strictly prohibited. These expectations align with the Australian Consumer Law, which aims to protect international students from fraudulent activities.
Monitoring and Compliance Activities
ASQA actively engages with government bodies to ensure effective compliance activities and monitor provider practices. This proactive approach helps identify and address any concerns raised regarding non-compliance. In this regard, ASQA has directly communicated with all CRICOS providers, reiterating their expectations and outlining their steps to enforce regulatory standards.
Reporting Non-Compliance and Unethical Practices
ASQA encourages individuals with information or concerns about a provider’s compliance to report them through their online complaints’ portal, ASQAconnect. This platform provides a secure and convenient way to submit complaints, enabling ASQA to investigate and take appropriate action against non-compliant providers.
Delivery to international students remains a top priority for ASQA and the Australian government. By upholding legislative obligations and monitoring compliance, ASQA aims to ensure the integrity and quality of education provided to international students. The collaborative efforts between ASQA, training providers, and concerned individuals will contribute to a fair and transparent education system that protects the rights and interests of international students.
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