In a sweeping crackdown, Australian authorities have closed approximately 150 private tertiary institutions, leaving hundreds of Indian students stranded and facing an uncertain future. The closures come after investigations revealed that these colleges failed to provide legitimate educational programs despite collecting hefty admission fees from international students.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) spearheaded the operation, citing that the institutions lacked verifiable evidence of offering regular training or academic courses. Among the shuttered colleges were several linked to unscrupulous agents and study visa advisers based in Punjab, who have long exploited loopholes to facilitate backdoor immigration and work rights for students under the guise of education.
“The integrity of our education sector is paramount. Under our government, there is no place for anyone who seeks to undermine the sector and exploit students,” stated the Minister for Skills and Training in a recent press conference.
For years, these private colleges targeted students from North Indian states such as Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana, regions identified as high-risk for fraudulent visa applications. These institutions often operated as fronts, allowing students to obtain dummy admissions while primarily serving as a pathway to employment and residency in Australia.
One affected student from Sangrur shared his ordeal: “I came to Australia two years ago, assured by my Punjab-based agent that I could work five days a week while my studies were managed. Recently, I was informed that the college has been sealed by the authorities. The agent shut operations in March after being implicated in a visa cheating case, leaving us without support.”
Another student from Patiala recounted her experience: “My brother and I were working at a cafeteria in Adelaide. Last month, we were instructed to return to the college, only to discover it had been closed down. We have already paid the entire course fee and are now left clueless about our next steps.”
The Albanese government’s initiative to clamp down on these fraudulent vocational education institutes is part of a broader strategy to ensure the quality and legitimacy of international education in Australia. ASQA’s actions aim to protect students from exploitation and maintain the country’s reputation as a desirable destination for genuine educational pursuits.
An agent involved in the scheme, who has sent over 250 students to Australia in the past four years, commented, “We have shut our operations in Punjab after Canada and Australia tightened their study visa regulations. We have assured our students not to panic and that there will be a way out soon.” However, authorities remain skeptical, with one agent now wanted in over six travel fraud cases in Malwa, emphasizing the depth of the fraudulent networks involved.
The crackdown is not an isolated incident. In 2023, two Australian universities banned the recruitment of students from several Indian states due to a surge in fraudulent visa applications. Previously, four other universities had imposed similar restrictions, identifying Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana as regions with the highest risk of attrition.
As Australian authorities continue their efforts to eliminate fraudulent educational practices, the affected students are left grappling with the repercussions. Advocacy groups and student support organizations are stepping in to provide assistance, but the path forward remains fraught with challenges. Many students are now seeking refunds or opportunities to transfer to legitimate institutions, but the process is proving to be slow and complicated.
The situation underscores the need for stricter regulations and better oversight of international student recruitment practices to prevent such exploitation in the future. As Australia reinforces its commitment to maintaining high educational standards, the affected students hope for swift resolutions and the chance to continue their studies without further hindrance.
