While the Australian sector was pleased to hear new Minister Christopher Pyne speaking of the “tremendous zeal” for rebuilding the international education sector at AIEC, the CEO of peak body ACPET has drawn attention to rumours that only 20 of 90 eligible providers beyond universities may benefit from Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP).
While welcoming the Minister’s commitment, ACPET issued a statement calling on the government to extend SVP arrangements to the non-university sector “as a matter of urgency”.
“Sadly, the rumours swirling around the AIEC conference were loud enough to make it to me in Indonesia, where I was advised that a much reduced list of some 20 or so higher education institutions was being considered for release,” said Claire Field, CEO, in a newsletter to members.
“If this rumour has any truth to it, this would be a (further) setback for the many VET, ELICOS (English language) and schools all with an outstanding record of delivery to international education students and with a strong visa compliance track record.”
The university sector has enjoyed streamlined visa processing since March 2012, which means that international students applying to this category of education provider – or their “educational partners” such as pathway providers – need to prove finances, English language level and academic qualifications direct to universities, which vouch for their credibility.
Visa issuance is swifter and financial thresholds that need to be met are lower than for other categories of provider.
Visa issuance is swifter and financial thresholds that need to be met are lower than for other categories of provider
The Australian private education sector, which ACPET represents, has campaigned for SVP to be rolled out to other reputable education providers.
The government had indicated its intention was to extend SVP to other “low immigration risk” providers and the Chaney report released earlier this year also recommended this should happen.
Phil Honeywood also appears in the TV news item and endorses Pyne’s plans
Field noted that criteria used to ensure strong track records of visa compliance were publicly available and 90 other providers were understood to tick all the boxes.
“It is this list of providers, and the transparent criteria used to compile the list, that ACPET is calling on the government to release urgently,” she said.
Pyne’s commitment to rebuilding the sector made it on to TV news channel ABC, where his comments on extending SVP and reviewing PSW (post-study work rights) were broadcast. On the same programme, Executive Director of IEAA, Phil Honeywood, said the current “visa issue acts as a disincentive for students to come to our country”.
