{"id":14320,"date":"2025-04-10T00:14:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T00:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.educli.com\/blog\/?p=14320"},"modified":"2026-03-02T00:06:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T00:06:38","slug":"monitoring-and-practice-related-to-education-agents-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.educli.com\/resources\/monitoring-and-practice-related-to-education-agents-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Monitoring and practice related to education agents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Unethical behaviour by third-party education agents remains a serious concern\u2014and a top priority\u2014for ASQA and other regulatory bodies across the Australian government. For providers offering VET qualifications to international students, compliance isn\u2019t optional. It’s a legal obligation under the ESOS Act<\/strong>, the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018<\/strong>, and Australian Consumer Law<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Role of Providers in Marketing and Recruitment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to recruiting international students and promoting courses, registered providers must ensure that all marketing and promotional activities are truthful and transparent. This includes avoiding false or misleading statements and never guaranteeing a visa grant or migration outcome<\/strong> as part of their sales pitch. Such behaviour not only breaches legal obligations but also undermines the credibility of Australia’s educational system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Transfers and Course Hopping Under Scrutiny<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ASQA\u2019s recent risk monitoring activities have revealed concerning practices regarding student transfers<\/strong>\u2014a trend that\u2019s also been picked up in media reports. International students are increasingly arriving in Australia enrolled with one provider, only to rapidly transfer to another<\/strong>. While there may be valid reasons for a provider or course change, unexplained or unapproved transfers raise concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such behaviour contradicts the principles of the ESOS Framework and the national code, particularly when there’s no valid justification<\/strong> for the change. ASQA is especially alarmed by allegations that some education agents, both offshore and onshore, may be offering incentives or colluding with providers<\/strong> to facilitate this kind of course hopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Providers\u2019 obligations under the ESOS Act and National Code to only engage in ethical student recruitment practices, including where these are facilitated through education agents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When recruiting overseas students, ESOS requires that providers must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n