Private colleges in Australia have issued nearly 3,000 last-minute enrolments to a diploma course that is set to be cancelled, following allegations of misuse by non-genuine students. The Labor government has threatened to suspend providers that manipulate new rules regarding student visas.
Background
The graduate diploma of management (learning) is facing deregistration on 5 October. Reports from Guardian Australia revealed that some private colleges were offering discounts to rush students into enrolling before this deadline. Julian Hill, the assistant minister for international education, stated that the system had been "misused" by certain students to remain in the country.
Since the announcement of the ban on 4 September, more than 1,300 new enrolments have been recorded, with over 1,500 students having their future enrolments brought forward. Some immigration education agents have been promoting the course through WhatsApp messages and texts, encouraging immediate enrolment with offers of discounted fees and free certificates.
Government Response
The Department of Home Affairs has sent letters of concern to several educational providers, demanding explanations for their practices. Hill emphasized that he is prepared to exercise powers to prevent colleges that breach the rules from recruiting new students.
