The Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee has recommended that the Senate pass the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. This is the single recommendation of the Committee’s report, tabled in Parliament tonight. The Committee also “strongly encourages its passage in the 2025 calendar year.”
The Committee’s views occupy about one page of the 48-page report and addresses three of the most common concerns raised in submissions provided to the Inquiry.
Definition of ‘education agent’
Although it acknowledged concerns that the definition of ‘education agent’ was too broad, the Committee concluded that robust action on integrity was essential and expected that policy guidance would clarify the scope.
Management of provider applications
In response to concerns about the lack of clarity around the criteria guiding the Minister’s decision-making, the Committee noted that suspension powers are intended to be exercised only in limited circumstances and emphasised that their overall intent is to protect overseas students.
Automatic cancellation of registration
The Committee addressed concerns about the extent of Ministerial powers raised by submitters, saying “While the committee appreciates the concerns, it is of the view that the provision is appropriate given the integrity risks of unethical providers using their registration for non-genuine purposes”.
The bulk of the remainder of the Report describes the Bill and includes views received by the Committee in submissions.
The Australian Greens provided additional comments in the report, recommending an amendment to remove additional ministerial powers on applications, registrations, and courses. The Greens argued that this power “[provides] the Minister unbridled liberty to control registrations in the higher education sector without procedural scrutiny”.
Despite Greens opposition, the Committee recommends passing the Bill, leaving the Government aiming for a smooth run through the Senate in its last sitting week for 2025.
Koala’s analysis of the submissions to the Inquiry is available here.
A copy of the Report is available here.
