200 Australian student visa agents suspended in India
September 22 2009 by Mark Johnstone
Australian visa agents suspended
Australian immigration has suspended 200 visa agents working in India after reports of fraudulent behaviour and poor approval rates emerged.
The agents, who are meant to help student visa applicants gain the right to live, study and work in Australia, have been asked to ‘show cause’ for their behaviour in order to regain access to the online student visa system.
The Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) has welcomed the move by the Australian government department. The Association’s president stated, ‘We have been lobbying with the Australian Government to take action against the fraudulent agents in India, as well as to keep a check on the conduct of onshore agents in Australia and also their sub-agents in India.’
In addition to this recent crack-down, the AAERI is hoping the government will begin making more thorough checks to make sure international students have the means, in terms of financial capacity, to live in Australia and study at their chosen course.
There are also concerns that a lack of student visa checks are taking place to ensure students are living in Australia on valid Australian visas obtained through legal means.
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