9
March 2010
Baird report sets blueprint for quality education of overseas
students
TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) today welcomed the final report of the Baird review into
Australia’s international education industry.
TDA Acting Chief Executive, Pam Caven said the report provides a comprehensive examination
of critical elements of international student education and sets out a detailed plan of action to
redress these issues.
“This is a very sound report prepared by a highly-credentialed third party who has been able to
bring a fresh perspective to some entrenched problems in the international student market.
“We believe it has laid out a solid framework to overcome major issues that have threatened
Australia’s reputation for quality international education.
“We welcome the proposed establishment of a single Tuition Protection Service which provides
a much-needed safeguard for students who are innocently caught up in college failures.
“It is sensible that the cost of this scheme is proposed to be risk-based
but
as public TAFE
institutes represent no risk to international students they should not have to subsidise the
operations of private colleges.
“TDA is concerned that the TAFE institutes that present no risk to the consumer are being
penalized and linked to a scheme that by its own admission includes high risk providers. It does
not in our view provide satisfactory consumer protection.
“Action to address problems of agents and commissions and the introduction of financial
penalties should remove incentives to exploit loopholes and use education as a mechanism for
residency.
“We believe that the proposed tighter regulation of the industry is overdue and that the
measures outlined will help to protect individual students and also enhance Australia’s
reputation as a destination for overseas students.
“While it is welcome to see regulations strengthened in this blueprint, it will be to no avail if
they are not rigorously enforced by Government regulators,” Ms Caven said.
Contact: Pam Caven, TAFE Directors Australia, 02 9217 3180 or 0403 383 024
ABN: 39 070 265 734
National Secretariat
Sydney Institute of TAFE NSW
Turner Hall (Building B)
Ultimo College
Crn Mary Ann and Harris
Streets Ultimo NSW 2007
Media Release
NEWS 
