Australia Bans Education Agent Commissions for Onshore Student Transfers

The Australian government has enacted a significant new regulation. It bans education agents from receiving commissions for onshore student transfers. This move targets the practice of agents recruiting already-enrolled international students to switch institutions within Australia. The ban aims to eliminate a major conflict of interest. Agents were incentivized to push transfers for financial gain, not student welfare. Therefore, this reform seeks to protect students from predatory and unethical recruitment practices.

Protecting Students and Integrity

This practice often led to students being moved to lower-quality courses or institutions. It disrupted their studies and incurred unnecessary costs. The ban ensures agents can no longer profit from advising such moves. The government’s goal is to uphold the integrity of Australia’s international education sector. It reinforces that student advice must be impartial and in the student’s best interest. Consequently, it strengthens Australia’s reputation as a safe and ethical study destination.

A Part of Broader Sector Reforms

This ban is part of a wider set of reforms to clean up the international education industry. It follows concerns about agent misconduct and exploitation of visa rules. The focus is on ensuring quality and protecting the student experience.Institutions must now ensure their agent agreements comply with this new rule. The change is expected to reduce churn and promote stability in student enrollments. Ultimately, it prioritizes genuine educational outcomes over commercial gain in student mobility.