Australia's liberal approach to work rights and new generous rules on post-study work for graduates are the envy of other education destinations. Yet according to an independent report, access to Australia's labour market is being relaxed at a time when the employment boom is over. The result will mean marginalised Aussies unable to access the labour market. But sector stakeholders slam this position as too simplistic, observing migrants often do jobs shunned by locals. Sara Custer delves deeper.

English Australia has joined with the Australian tourism industry to argue against a near 30% increase in the cost of the Working Holiday Visa (WHV), which it says could deter overseas language students who combine work and study in Australia. The cost of a Skilled Graduate visa, aimed at recent graduates wishing to work in Australia, is also set to quadruple.

Australia’s peak body for private tertiary providers, ACPET, is undertaking a survey of the size and contribution of private tertiary education in a bid to improve government recognition of the sector. CEO Claire Field said the findings would address "considerable gaps" in the data available to policy makers.

The ACPET National Conference (and awards) welcomed Australia’s largest gathering of private tertiary education and training experts to its annual conference, with international education high on the agenda...

One of Australia’s peak bodies for vocational education and training, ACPET, has signed an MOU with its sister association in Thailand, FPCT, to increase collaboration between the markets. ACPET also says an Asia Pacific association is being planned.

Joining universities, select private colleges and TAFEs in Australia are to benefit from streamlined visa processing designed to boost their competitiveness. The move follows the streamlining of university visa processing last month. Under the scheme all overseas students applying for visas will be deemed low-risk – or from ‘level 1 risk assessment’ countries.

Two-thirds of international students in Australia would reconsider NSW and Victoria as study destinations due to the lack of travel concessions for international students, according to a study by ACPET released today. It argues for a cohesive approach to international student discounts.

ACPET in Australia is to open an office in China this year to promote Australian offshore delivery, with a focus on vocational education and training (VET). The private industry association will open a base in the city of Chongqing to support members seeking opportunities or partnerships in China.