Australia's higher education sector has the potential to be the most diverse and therefore among the most effective in the world, according to a leading international expert. Speaking for the LH Martin Institute's executive seminar series at the University of Melbourne's Graduate School of Education, Professor Frans Van Vught praised new policy initiatives being introduced to the sector. The Melbourne Newsroom, 10 March 2010.

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, welcomed the release of the Baird review final report into the legislation that governs international education in Australia. Ms Gillard thanked Mr Baird for his hard work and commitment and for producing the report as a matter of urgency and agreed to begin work on implementing a number of recommendations immediately. DEEWR Media release, 9 March 2010

A move from paper to computer-based testing for the International Student Admissions Test (ISAT) will improve access to Australian degrees for international students. ISAT provides universities with the opportunity to use a reliable and efficient way of testing students' potential to cope academically with Australian tertiary courses. It complements existing English-language competency tests. ACER, February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, announced funding of 5.1 million dollars to further strengthen Australia's international education industry. The funding will be made available to top up the Education Services for Overseas Students Assurance Fund (ESOS Assurance Fund) if required. DEEWR Media release, 22 February 2010

The information contained in this section of the site is for overseas students who are considering studying in Australia. Information on other sections of our website include Australia's education capability and industry and country information for Australian education providers.

The 20th ISANA International Education Conference was held in Canberra, ACT, in December 2009. Refereed and non-refereed papers, as well as workshop presentations are available from the site.

The attractiveness of Australia as a destination for international students is finally being recognised as an issue of national importance. Australia has had a charmed run on the growth of international enrolments over the last 10 years. The time has come for Governments both State and Federal to reciprocate through investing in the quality of the international student experience, and in reforms to help ensure Australia remains a preferred destination for international students. CAPA, 4 August 2009

This OECD initiative aims to assess learning outcomes on an international scale by creating measures that would be valid for all cultures and languages. Between ten and thirty-thousand higher education students in over ten different countries will take part in a feasibility study to determine the bounds of this project, with an eye to the possible creation of a full-scale AHELO upon its completion.

In 2008, the Australian Government provided funding of $100,000 to the Australian University Quality Agency (AUQA) to complete a project to develop good practice principles for English language proficiency. The report lists ten principles of good practice, split into themes, with an explanation of each theme and examples. It provides a review of current practices; summarises the issues raised as part of Cycle 1 AUQA audits; and offers recommendations for consideration as follow-up to the project. AUQA has indicates its intention to use these principles as part of its audit process as it does with other good practice guidelines.

Eleven Victorian organisations have headed to the UK to show off their wares at Londons education technology show, BETT 2006.