A repeat of the “cooks and hairdressers” debacle that engulfed the international education sector a decade ago is predicted to be repeated, after the federal government made visa changes that will allow people to do a six-week course in aged care with minimal English as the first step to permanent residency.

Experts say universities can expect an upsurge in international students dropping their courses to get onto the cheaper, quicker and more assured path to residency under changes to the 482 visa, which has no cap on the number of people who can apply and be accepted for it.