Private education providers have issued almost 3,000 new or accelerated enrolments into an Australian diploma course that the federal government is cancelling over concerns it has been misused by non-genuine international students.
As per the Guardian, the regulator says more than 1,300 new enrolments have been issued since the government announced on 4 September that the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) would be deregistered from 5 October.
A further 1,500 students have brought forward their previously scheduled enrolments so they can commence the course before the cancellation date.
The figures have raised concerns about attempts by some providers and education agents to circumvent the government’s measures.
The course is currently offered by almost 450 institutions and has more than 15,000 students enrolled, while more than 40,000 students have future enrolments registered.
The government has said students who genuinely commence the course before 5 October will generally be allowed to complete it, provided no integrity breaches are identified.
Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill said the government was closely examining enrolment patterns following the deregistration decision.
“The message to providers, agents and students is simple: do not try to game this measure,” Hill said.
“A paper enrolment, a rushed orientation or token activity is not a licence to evade the intent of the action.”
He warned that providers attempting to circumvent the new arrangements could face regulatory action, including being prevented from recruiting new international students.
The developments follow reports of private colleges and education agents offering discounts and other incentives to encourage international students to commence the diploma before its deregistration.
The Australia Today has seen promotional messages being circulated through social media, WhatsApp and text messages have encouraged students with future enrolments to start immediately.
Some promotions have offered reduced course fees or free certificates of enrolment.
One private college reportedly offered education agents “attractive” commissions, same-day offer letters and confirmations of enrolment, with special intakes scheduled for 21 September and 2 October — just three days before the course is due to be cancelled.
The government has issued letters of concern to several providers seeking explanations about their practices.
Hill said regulators were examining whether enrolments represented genuine study arrangements rather than simply paperwork intended to preserve visa pathways.
“Providers should expect any attempt to circumvent the intent of these measures to attract close regulatory scrutiny, looking at the substance of what occurred, not simply the paperwork.”
The changes have particular implications for international students who had packaged the graduate diploma with a lower-level vocational qualification.
Under the new arrangements, some students may need to move into a higher-level qualification to satisfy their visa requirements.
Education agents have reportedly advised some students to bring forward their graduate diploma enrolment and study it concurrently with their existing vocational course.
One international student told Guardian Australia they had originally arrived in Australia to study a bachelor’s degree but later moved to a vocational carpentry course after receiving advice from a migration agent.
The student said they had subsequently been advised to begin the graduate diploma immediately and study both courses at the same time.
“I don’t know if I can take this much study load.”
The student said other people following the same pathway had received similar advice and were concerned about the workload.
Hill warned international students to be cautious about arrangements that appeared designed primarily to maintain visa status.
“Students should be very wary of anyone pressuring them to start another course immediately, particularly while they are still completing their existing studies,” he said.
“Genuine students deserve clear advice and quality education – not arrangements created for someone else’s commercial benefit.”
The deregistration forms part of a broader federal government effort to tighten international student visa arrangements and address course-hopping.
The government has banned international students from starting one qualification and subsequently transferring to a lower-level qualification in circumstances that could allow them to remain in Australia while working more hours.
It has also banned commissions for education agents involved in transferring students between courses within Australia.
Hill said the measures had reduced some problematic behaviour but that the government remained concerned about the volume and pattern of course transfers.
From next year, international students seeking to change education providers will be required to apply for a new student visa.
The government says the reforms are intended to protect the integrity of Australia’s international education and student visa systems while ensuring genuine international students can continue to study in Australia.
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