Study Group Welcomes Tougher Enforcement of International Education Sector

Leading Australian private education provider Study Group today welcomed the push for tougher enforcement of the international education sector flagged by the Baird review.

The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 Review recommended strengthening entry requirements for international students, greater transparency of regulatory activity, enhanced consumer protection and increasing penalties for unscrupulous operators.

Study Group Chief Executive Officer Heith Mackay-Cruise said Study Group had been pushing for stronger action against so-called “visa factories” for some time.

“As a provider at the quality end of the sector we have been concerned for some time about colleges which have been geared more towards immigration than education,” he said.

“In our submission to the review we called for much tougher enforcement of the existing regulations.

“This is a very important sector to the Australian economy - education is our third-largest export biggest industry, worth more than $16 billion, and the Government’s moves provide certainty to providers and students.”

Study Group owns Taylors and Martin Colleges and prepares thousands of international students for entry into Australian universities every year.

Study Group provides world-class university access, English language and career education programs to more than 55,000 students a year across 38 campus operations spanning the USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, employing more than 2000 staff.

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