Before Australia`s $32 billion education export sector is damaged, authorities must ensure that unscrupulous employers who deduct foreign students` salaries comply with Australia`s labour relations laws.
The Australian newspaper reported that Fears (Allan Fels), former (ACCC) chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Council and head of the government migrant workers working group (Migrant Workers Taskforce), found that an estimated 30 percent of students were studying in Australia. That is, one hundred and forty five thousand people are being exploited. They were withheld for billions of dollars in salary bills.
As Prof Fears warns, out of respect for students, for the benefit of the education sector and revenue and expenditure, the problem must be corrected before Australia`s reputation is destroyed in a competitive market.
Last week, opposition leader Shawton (Bill Shorten) tried to capitalize on anti-immigration sentiment at all levels of the community to gain a cheap political argument when he attacked the "runaway increase" in temporary work visas. The increase in temporary work visas is largely driven by international students who have the right to work 20 hours a week. The number of student visas rose from 304000 in 2013 to 486000 last month, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
Citizenship Minister Duggie (Alan Tudge) asked: "does Schotton really say he wants to reduce the number of international students who contribute $32 billion to Australia?" If so, he should have made it clear. "
Opposition employment spokesman O`Connor (Brendan O`Connor) unfortunately reinforced the damage caused by his party leader. Capping visas for studying abroad and working on vacation should be seen as a "last resort," O`Connor said, because some people might abuse their visas and sign up for "the cheapest Mickey Mouse courses so they can work here."
These ideas prompted Hanniwood (Phil Honeywood), chief executive of the Australian Association for International Education (International Education Association of Australia), to warn. Any move to eliminate students` right to work would encourage them to study elsewhere, such as Canada and New Zealand, which currently offer similar rights to work in Australia. For many young people, including Australians, studying and working part-time in another country is a way to broaden their horizons.
Hanniwood and Jackson (Catriona Jackson), chief executive of the Australian University Alliance (Universities Australia), admit that student exploitation is a problem. But the solution is not to crack down on visas, but to ensure that employers comply with the law and that students are fully aware of their rights and how to protect themselves.
International student enrolment in Australia rose 12.6% in the first two months of the year to 542054. The biggest increase was in universities, which rose to 303000 international students. Another 131000 are enrolled in vocational education and training institutions; 60000 are in the English language Institute; and 21000 are in primary and secondary schools. Such a successful department needs to be carefully nurtured.
