The approach of Australia’s new migration strategy to Vocational Education and Training is “highly problematic”, according to the body representing providers.
The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia released a scathing response to the new Migration Strategy, which it said was based on “broad and often inaccurate generalisations about quality”.
“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,” said Troy Williams, ITECA’s chief executive.
Reforms include cracking down on those taking VET programs as a means of “remaining in Australia”.
The Review quotes a previous report pointing to evidence that graduate visa holders are returning to study when their visa runs out in order to remain in the country – and using VET courses to do it.
“Most go on to study a VET course despite mostly already holding a higher degree,” the Review reads.
The new Genuine Student Test will require evidence in their application to “demonstrate that any subsequent course is furthering their career… such as undertaking a practical VET course to complement their degree”.
Claire Field, a leading commentator on the VET sector, made the point that most of these students are unlikely to pass the new Genuine Student Test.
“The test is also likely to create challenges for VET providers whose business model is focused on offering further education options for VET graduates after they finish their first qualification,” Field said.
Williams called the strategy’s language about quality in the sector “unhelpful”, saying “it paints an inaccurate picture of the sector as a whole”.
“There is a real risk that it will diminish Australia’s reputation as a high-quality provider of skills training to international students,” Williams added.
TAFE Directors Australia chair Jenny Dodd told The PIE News that the organisation was “supportive overall of the proposed changes”.
“A vibrant sector must be one that is assured by quality and integrity. These measures go some way to addressing poorly motivated vocational education providers whose goal has not been to provide quality learning experiences for genuine students,” Dodd said.
“The increased controls on students changing courses is welcomed as are the improved fit and proper tests to be a provider,” she added.
But Williams, while saying that ITECA “broadly welcomes” the reforms that the Strategy sets out, said the organisation’s membership remains concerned that the response from the government “to the risks that exist… will be disproportionate”.
Other measures also laid out in the review also left ITECA with significant concerns, including a policy which will see officials prioritise student visa applications based on the risk level of providers.
“Higher risk providers will experience slower processing times as visa decision makers consider the integrity of a provider, as well as the individual student applicants,” the Review reads.
AAERI President, Nishidhar Borra, welcomed this move, however, saying that “unscrupulous providers will be identified and acted upon” as a result.
“There is a real risk that it will diminish Australia’s reputation as a high-quality provider”
While also welcoming the visa processing reform at “face value” as fair and sensible, Field pointed out that a brand new integrity unit could present other problems as a result.
“With $19 million announced… to hire new staff to process and scrutinise 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,” Field warned.
Williams added, “When it comes to actioning the reforms set out in the Strategy, 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 quality independent tertiary education providers these students study with.”
