Report concludes overseas students exploited

According to a recent article in the Age, the International Student Experience Taskforce has concluded that overseas students are exploited in the workplace and are increasingly receiving misleading information from overseas recruiters before they arrive. The report into student's welfare has also concluded that a lack of accommodation threatens the growth of the international student market in Victoria, which contributed 3.9 billion dollars to the states economy in 2007 making it the states biggest service export.

Regarding exploitation in the workplace, the report found that many students are working more than the currently allowed maximum of 20 hours a week. As a result many students find themselves at risk of being exploited. In effort an to reduce this risk one of the reports recommendations is to allow students who are performing well academically to work more than the currently allowed maximum of 20 hours a week.

To combat the increasingly suspect dealing a of offshore education agents, the report recommends a register of agents.

As for housing, Mark Choo from the National Liaison Committee for International Students cited rental accommodation as one of the key problems face by overseas students. The report recommended that institutions be required to provide access to affordable and appropriate housing for overseas students during their fist 6 to 12 months in Australia.

In response to the report Skills and Workplace Minister Jacinta Allan said addressing the issues raised by the taskforce would enhance the already positive experience shared by most of the state's international student population.

Finally, the taskforce recommendations will help to shape the State Government's International Education Strategy, which is due in March.