According to the organization that represents providers, Australia’s new immigration strategy takes a “highly problematic” stance toward vocational education and training. The new Migration Strategy drew harsh criticism from the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia, claiming that it was founded on “broad and often inaccurate generalisations about quality”.
According to Troy Williams, CEO of ITECA, “the language in the Migration Strategy is reckless and ignores the high-quality skills training outcomes that the majority of international students in Australia receive.”
A reform that aims to “remain in Australia” is to impose stricter penalties on people who enroll in VET programs. According to a previous report cited by the Review, holders of graduate visas are using VET courses to continue their education after their visas expire.
Evidence to “demonstrate that any subsequent course is furthering their career… such as undertaking a practical VET course to complement their degree” will be required by the new Genuine Student Test for applicants.
Leading expert on the VET field Claire Field pointed out that the majority of these students are not likely to pass the new Genuine Student Test.
“VET providers whose business model is focused on providing further education options for VET graduates after they finish their first qualification are likely to face challenges as a result of the test,” Field added.
The chair of TAFE Directors Australia, Jenny Dodd, stated that the group was “generally supportive of the proposed changes.”
“A thriving sector needs to be one where integrity and quality are guaranteed. These steps address low-motivation vocational education providers, whose objective has not been to offer authentic students high-quality learning opportunities,” according to Dodd.
“We applaud the tightened regulations on students switching courses, as well as the enhanced fit and appropriate exams to become a provider,” she continued.
Significant concerns were raised by ITECA regarding additional measures outlined in the review, such as a policy that would prioritize student visa applications based on the risk level of the providers. Visa decision-makers will take into account both the individual student applicants and the integrity of higher risk providers, which will result in slower processing times.
However, Nishidhar Borra, President of AAERI, praised this action and stated that as a result, “unscrupulous providers will be identified and acted upon.”
Although Field welcomed the reform in visa processing at “face value” as just and reasonable, he also noted that the introduction of a new integrity unit might lead to other issues.
Field issued a warning, saying, “With $19 million announced… to hire new staff to process and scrutinize visa applications, this means a lot of new immigration officials with a lot to learn and hence even greater delays on visa processing for higher risk providers.”
In order to put the reforms outlined in the Strategy into practice, Williams stated, “ITECA is calling on the Australian Government to develop, in close consultation with our members, policy responses that are measured, ones that support international students and the high-quality independent tertiary education providers these students study with.”