Call for curb on Education Minister’s power to cap courses

Universities, colleges and schools call for a restraint on ministerial power to limit number of international students in courses.

International Education Association of Australia CEO Phil Honeywood. Photo: Aaron Francis

Universities, colleges and schools that educate international students have called on the federal government to water down a unilateral power that new legislation, currently before parliament, will hand to Education Minister Jason Clare.

International Education Association of Australia chief executive Phil Honeywood said education providers objected to the minister having untrammelled power to impose a cap on the number of international students they enrolled in particular courses.

He said a meeting on Monday of peak bodies representing universities, independent colleges and independent schools had called for a change in the legislation before parliament to require the minister to consult with education regulatory bodies before unilaterally imposing a cap on particular courses.

The Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 – which has yet to pass the Senate – says the education minister has the power to cap the number of international students in any particular course or group of courses. The minister is required only to notify regulatory authorities, not consult them.

Mr Honeywood, who chaired the Monday meeting, said the change was important to deal with any possibility of politicisation of such decisions.

“As much as anything, this change is designed to protect future ministers for education from themselves,” Mr Honeywood said.

The bill is before a Senate committee, which must complete its inquiry by August 15.

After that, the Senate will debate the bill.

The bill already requires the education minister to consult regulators – such as the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency or the Australian Skills Quality Authority – if they wish to cancel or suspend any courses for international students, or intervene to prevent or delay an education provider seeking registration under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act.