【澳大利亚教育部】2024《国际教育和技能战略框架》草案_41页_623kb

Summary of Australia's International Education and Skills Strategic Framework

Core Content

The Australia's International Education and Skills Strategic Framework outlines a vision for a sustainable, high-quality, diverse, and integrity-focused international education and training sector. It is designed to align with Australia's national and global objectives, ensuring the sector contributes to economic productivity, skills development, and international relationships.

Main Objectives

The Strategic Framework is structured around three main objectives:

1. A Sector Built on Quality and Integrity

• Ensures that only genuine and ethical providers operate in the international education sector.
• Introduces stricter regulations and compliance measures to prevent exploitation and maintain trust.
• Requires providers to demonstrate experience, capacity, and commitment to student welfare.
• Implements integrity reforms, including:
  • A ban on agent commissions for onshore student transfers.
  • Increased financial and English language requirements for student visas.
  • Suspension of high-risk providers through the ESOS Act.
  • A 24-month domestic course delivery requirement for new international providers.
• Highlights the importance of student experience and best interests in all stages of the education process.

2. A Managed System to Deliver Sustainable Growth Over Time

• Emphasizes the need for careful management of student numbers to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Aligns with the Migration Strategy to ensure the system is fit for purpose and targeted.
• Supports diversification of the student base to reduce risks associated with over-reliance on any single country.
• Aims to align onshore education offerings with Australia's skills needs.
• Encourages collaboration between government, providers, and industry to ensure a balanced and responsive system.

3. Taking Australian Education and Training to the World

• Promotes transnational education through offshore campuses and partnerships.
• Highlights Australia's leadership in this area with over 10 universities operating international branch campuses in 10 countries, with 3 more expected by 2024.
• Supports innovative education pilots in key regions like the Pacific, Southeast Asia, China, and India.
• Aligns with economic and foreign policy strategies, such as:
  • Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
  • A Partnership for the Future: Australia's Education Strategy for India.
• Seeks to deepen international relationships and enhance cultural understanding through education.

Key Information

• The sector faces challenges such as integrity issues, infrastructure strain, and social licence concerns.
• The Government has zero tolerance for exploitation and unscrupulous practices.
• Legislative and policy changes are being implemented to:
  • Raise English language requirements.
  • Introduce Genuine Student requirements.
  • Increase financial savings requirements.
  • Limit working hours for student visa holders.
• Monitoring and compliance are central to maintaining the sector's integrity and quality.
• Case studies highlight initiatives like the CDU Indigenous Immersion Program, which enhances cultural understanding and student experience.
• The integrity measures timeline outlines key reforms and implementation dates, including the closure of the concurrent study function on 26 August 2023.
• Diversification is a key goal to reduce risks and ensure the sector's long-term viability.

Next Steps

• The Government will work with the sector to manage the composition of the onshore international education sector.
• Consultation questions are provided to gather feedback from the sector on:
  • Further reforms to improve quality and integrity.
  • Actions providers can take to enhance sector integrity.

Conclusion

This Strategic Framework reflects a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to managing Australia's international education and training sector. It aims to protect students, enhance the reputation of the sector, and align education with Australia's strategic interests. By focusing on quality, integrity, and sustainable growth, the Government seeks to ensure the sector continues to thrive and deliver long-term benefits to Australia and its international partners.