Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

The international education sector is, of course, one of Australia's largest export industries and is very important to Australia in that regard. It is also an increasingly competitive area of our export sector and plays an important role in supporting employment across a whole range of sectors and in adding high-value skills.

Back in December of 2010 the Australian government appointed Michael Knight AO to conduct the first strategic review of the student visa program to enhance the quality of and integrity and competitiveness of our program. He made 41 recommendations in the review and on 22 September 2011 the government announced its response to the strategic review of the student visa program conducted by Michael Knight.

Recommendation 32 of that report is that the department undertake a review of the student visa assessment level framework. This review was undertaken in 2012, as required, and the government has been considering its response. When the government announced the review it made clear the implementation of the agreed recommendations would occur in 2013. It is expected that the government will release the review's report shortly and its response to these recommendations.

In considering this issue, the government has been very mindful of the need to ensure the integrity of the migration system as it relates to our international education sector as well as supporting the international education sector because of its growing competitiveness in the global environment and, as I said at the start of my response to this question, its increasing importance to Australia and our relationships and the sustainment of our export earnings in the education sector.