Vic colleges in immigration probe

April 7, 2009 - 6:29AM

Twenty Melbourne training colleges teaching international students are being investigated for possible breaches of immigration laws.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has been investigating some of the colleges since early last year, in some cases with the help of other government agencies, The Age newspaper reports.

Federal immigration officers and police raided nine Melbourne businesses in December, including a private training college, over allegations some had charged up to $20,000 to provide fake education certificates and work references, the newspaper said.

Proof of educational achievements and work experience is required before international students can apply for permanent residency.

Migration fraud takes place if false documents are used.

An immigration department spokesperson told The Age: "The department is assessing allegations concerning 20 education providers that are operating out of Melbourne.

"Some of those investigations have been ongoing since early 2008. The department is not in a position to provide further information at this time as it might jeopardise the progress of those investigations."

There are 342 Victorian education providers authorised to teach international students in Victoria.

Of those, 195 are training colleges, and 181 of those are privately owned.

As of September, 77 per cent of international students enrolled at Victorian training colleges were taught in the private sector.