Baird Review

The Baird Review was a review of the overseas education system commissioned by the Minister for Education. The report was released earlier this week.

Among its key recommendations are that the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS) be amended to:

1. Require providers to uphold the integrity of the student visa program and maintain appropriate support, English language entry levels and professional outcomes
2. Only allow providers to maintain registration if they meet a series of thresholds
3. Introduce financial penalties and clear standards
4. Require an independent complaints body
5. Ensure students can accurately compare potential study choices
6. Introduce financial penalties for providers whose offshore agents act unethically
7. Implement a unique identifier for each student

It is interesting to note the comments of the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship in his press release about the report:

"It is most pleasing to note Mr Baird's support for the Rudd Government's changes to the skilled migration program announced on 8 February 2010.

The skilled migration program changes will encourage overseas students to focus on obtaining a quality education from a high quality provider by removing incentives for students to apply for a course simply in the hope of being granted permanent residence."

The full report in PDF format is available by clicking HERE and you can read the Minister's press release HERE.

I am indebted to the Migration Institute of Australia for providing as a service to its members the summary of the key recommendations above.

Creative commons attribution for use of the photograph above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/ / CC BY 2.0