The recently enacted ESOS Bill 2024 has now amended the ESOS Act of 2000 for further enhancement of the integrity and growth of international student enrollment in Australia. However, it has received criticism among domestic and international scholars, as well as education providers and Agents, because of its stringent measures, one being a cap of 270,000 on international student enrollments in Australia for 2025. Most parliamentarians believe that this move harms educators, agents, and international students and does not promote sustainable growth. The government’s argument is that the bill would benefit education providers, international students, and Australia’s economy. According to the presented critical view, the ESOS bill 2024 ignores broader issues such as the loss of employment, loss of income, and stability of education providers such as RTOs and VETs and generates conflicts. The scholars are of the view that capping out international students is not the answer for the enhancement of integrity and that the Australian government should be bold enough to face the issue rather than avoid it. Education providers recommend stricter visa processes, such as in-person interviews or virtual consultations, as alternatives to capping enrollments. The stakeholders say that addressing the problems head-on is always better than capping. Some of the major criticisms about this bill have been on the following grounds:
• There has been a lack of stakeholder involvement in decision-making
• Unfair and inconsistent decisions that affect international students, Education providers and agents
• Enrollment caps were very poorly managed
• Distribution does not occur through a robust and transparent mechanism.
The government of Australia is now reconsidering its decision regarding the ESOS Bill 2024 after all the controversial criticisms about the changes recently made. Academics and universities are pushing the government to reconsider its stand, believing that with certain amendments, the bill can be significantly improved for the betterment of not only the education sector but the entire economy of the country. Consequently, with these changes, there is increased confidence that international students will soon have better opportunities to enroll in various institutes in Australia.
