Institutions warned on foreign students

(AAP) - Education institutions have been warned not to treat international students as cash cows without providing them with an appropriate level of service.

The federal education department wrote to providers on Friday, reminding them of
their obligations under legislation covering courses for overseas students.
The federal government will also fast-track a review of the same legislation,
starting with an audit of the laws next financial year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Julia Gillard announced the measures in
Hobart on Friday after meeting with her state and territory counterparts.
"The letter ... outlined the critical role they play in ensuring a positive
experience for international students that meets the high standards expected of
Australia and its education system," she said.
High on the ministers' agenda were concerns over the safety of international
students unfamiliar with Australia, which has been highlighted by ongoing violence,
particularly against Indians, in Melbourne and Sydney.
The federal government is keen to safeguard the lucrative $15.5 billion its makes
from selling its educational services to overseas students.
It's the third biggest export earner for Australia, after coal and iron ore.
In addition to putting providers under the microscope, Indian students will be given
more up-to-date information on what to expect before they head to Australia in a new
guide released by the high commission in New Delhi.
"It will be provided to each new student who obtains a visa to study in Australia,"
Ms Gillard said.
A new hotline will also make it easier for students to report concerns about their
educational experience.
Rory Medcalf, convenor of the Lowy Institute Australia-India roundtable, told AAP
the assaults had helped highlight the lack of infrastructure and support available
to international students.
"This crisis highlighted, more dramatically than it needed to, that the
infrastructure and support for the number of students Australia is taking in is
clearly not good enough," he said.
It had shown the need for more pastoral care and appropriate information for new
arrivals in big cities.
"Obviously, more needs to be done," Mr Medcalf said.
The ministers announced the establishment of a new international student taskforce,
whose work will dovetail with the high-level group being led by National Security
Adviser Duncan Lewis.
"We are going to do everything we can to send a message to international students
that they are welcome here," Ms Gillard said.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told reporters in Perth the high-level taskforce had
already met three times and was working to enhance security for students.
"It had input from all of the states and territories and, in recent days, we've seen
the Victorian government announce an array of substantial measures aimed at
enhancing community protection and law and order measures in the areas where the
attacks have occurred," he said.