Global education services provider Navitas has welcomed changes to student visa regulations, which will apply from January 2011.
Global education services provider Navitas has welcomed changes to student visa regulations, which will apply from January 2011.
Navitas, and other education providers had been adversely affected by visa rules introduced in March.
Under the rules, international applying to study a higher education diploma were not differentiated from students applying to study a VET diploma.
The Australian Qualifications Framework clearly distinguishes between higher education and VET diplomas.
This resulted in higher education students needing higher levels of financial savings to secure a student visa.
It proved detrimental to legitimate students in some key countries such as Vietnam.
"We are heartened that Minister Chris Bowen's consultation with industry has resulted in these changes which should help to mitigate the recent downturn in international students in Australia," said Rod Jones, CEO of Navitas.
"We look forward to working with Minister Bowen, the Gillard Government and the sector to progress more solutions for the international education sector in Australia."
See company statement below:
Global education services provider Navitas has welcomed changes to student visa regulations announced by the Hon Chris Bowen, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship which will apply from 1 January 2011.
Navitas, and other education providers, had been adversely impacted by the new visa regime introduced by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in March 2010 under which international students applying to study a higher education diploma were not differentiated from students applying to study a VET diploma.
The Australian Qualifications Framework clearly distinguishes between higher education and VET diplomas.
This resulted in higher education students needing higher levels of financial savings to secure a student visa and proved detrimental to legitimate students in some key countries such as Vietnam.
In changes to the visa regulations announced yesterday this issue has now been rectified and Navitas anticipates that this will help to improve the return of international students to Australian education providers and universities.
Navitas has committed to working with Government and the sector to increase the sustainability of Australia's third largest export industry and recently met with Minister Bowen to raise concerns over the impacts of the new visa regulations.
"We are heartened that Minister Bowen's consultation with industry has resulted in these changes which should help to mitigate the recent downturn in international students in Australia," said Rod Jones, CEO of Navitas.
"We look forward to working with Minister Bowen, the Gillard Government and the sector to progress more solutions for the international education sector in Australia."
