The Australian Government today reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen the country’s largest export, international education.
Opening a major conference for the English language teaching sector, Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, urged the sector to assist the Government in preparing a new strategy for international education.
“International education suffered under the previous government, with export income falling by billions of dollars from its 2009-10 peak,” Senator Ryan said.
“There has been some recovery since then, but we cannot afford to be complacent.
“That’s why the Government is committed to restoring Australian international education to its peak and meeting the challenges of the future.”
Senator Ryan made the comments in Sydney at the annual conference for NEAS – a not-for-profit organisation that provides quality assurance for ELICOS providers.
The Government is working on measures to improve the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and to reduce the burden of unnecessary regulation and reporting requirements.
“Our plan includes improving the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework so it is flexible across the industry, supports the different needs of each sector offering international education and does not create unnecessary obstacles to growth for education providers,” Senator Ryan said.
The Government will also respond soon to the Chaney Report on the challenges and opportunities facing international education, and will develop a framework for international education for the future.
“The Government is committed to working closely with stakeholders and a draft strategy for international education will be released for consultation in coming months,” Senator Ryan said.