http://www.theage.com.au/national/policies-deter-overseas-students-20120202-1qvn...PRIVATE education providers are struggling, largely because of federal government policies that have made it harder for foreigners to study in Australia, said Shruti Nargundkar, chief executive of one provider.
Mrs Nargundkar's Education Access Australia had been one of the eight biggest providers of courses to overseas students.
She said 2009 changes to immigration policy separating education from immigration, and more stringent student visas had left the schools in limbo.
While the changes were designed to stop unethical providers, she said they had adversely affected all.
''It's a pity the government has not supported the industry - it's called all private providers dodgy,'' Mrs Nargundkar said. ''It's very difficult in the current political situation, so there have been many closures and mergers.''
Bad publicity overseas after attacks on Indian students and the high Australian dollar also played a part, Mrs Nargundkar said.
Education Access Australia, which taught hospitality, English and business at three campuses in Melbourne, went into voluntary administration in December.
Since 2009 its overseas enrolments fell from 1350 to the current figure of 700. Before the changes, it had invested heavily in an automotive education facility, opened by then education minister Bronwyn Pike in September 2009.''A lot of us providers are educationists, not just business providers. We had a dream of providing the best services to students, international and domestic. But the situation wouldn't allow us to,'' Mrs Nargundkar said.
At a creditors' meeting yesterday, the company was bought by Imperial College of Technology and Management, in Abbotsford.
Its students will continue and staff will be laid off where there is a crossover between the two companies, Imperial College managing director Paramjit Jaswal said.
The creditors meeting comes just over a week after Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson announced a new template labour agreement to help tourism and hospitality industries attract workers from overseas.
''Research has found that there are already 36,000 vacancies in this industry and by 2015 another 56,000 workers will be required, particularly in regional areas,'' Mr Ferguson had said.
Last year's Knight Review recommended streamlining of student visa rules.
In September last year, Mr Bowen said the government would be adopting several of its recommendations
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