Government targets ‘dodgy’ training providers in $37.8 million crackdown

A new tip-off line will be set up for people to dob in “dodgy” training providers exploiting international students studying in Australia.

The nation’s Vocational Education and Training regulator will get a $37.8 million boost under a federal government crackdown on unethical and illegal behaviour.

An integrity unit will be established within the Australian Skills Quality Authority and will be equipped with the latest technology and data-matching capability to find and stop providers doing the wrong thing.

The unit will work together with law enforcement agencies to conduct “intense” compliance checks on high-risk providers in a bid to improve protections for all students.

The confidential VET tip-off line will allow current and former students, staff, homestay hosts and employers of international students to report fraud

People will be able to anonymously report misconduct by training organisations by phone or through the regulator’s website.

Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor will announce the measures at an address to the National Press Club on Tuesday.

“Not only do we need to lift the standards on behaviour, we need to lift the focus on quality to ensure students are getting the skills they and the economy need,” he will say.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the government’s move sought to restore integrity to the nation’s international education and migration systems.

“Dodgy training providers have no place in VET, international education and our migration system,” she said.

Education Minister Jason Clare said the “shonks” seeking to exploit international students had returned.

The announcement is in response to recommendations made by reviews of the migration system and exploitation of Australia’s visa system.

Australia’s skills ministers will meet in November, where they will consider further changes to strengthen Registered Training Organisation legislation.

This article was first published by AAP.