At the end of 2024 the New South Wales government cancelled 6300 teaching diplomas from Gills College, meaning 6300 international students who paid cash for a qualification in order to get a visa, and who will not get a visa.
Australia is cracking down on so-called “ghost colleges” that exploited a loophole in the visa system, allowing international students to work instead of study. These institutions, also known as “visa factories,” have been a significant issue in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles emphasized that the “rorts and loopholes” in the VET sector are being addressed. The crackdown aims to ensure that international students receive genuine education and training, rather than being exploited for profit.
The government is also using enhanced powers to suspend high-risk education providers, deterring dodgy operators from undermining the sector and exploiting students. This move is part of a broader effort to maintain the integrity of Australia’s education system and protect international students.
From my viewpoint, the international students who were advised to enrol/but these diplomas are the victims having limited English and knowledge of Australia. A typical scenario is that back in their country their parents were sold ‘packages’ which may have included IELTS or PTE courses and certificates in their country. Many took out loans and find themselves trapped in a kind if indentured worker slavery. But the government had to do it and although I have sympathy, migrants shouldn’t come on such packages.
A much cheaper and easier route for individual students who do their own research would be to come Australia on an ELICOS visa to studying English in Australia rather than go to IELTS and PTE institutes in their own country to teach them to cheat the test. ELICOS visas allow the same hours of work as a VET college or University, and students genuinely study English in a multicultural classroom with other students around the world.
Students in ELICOS often find they are not just learning English and Australian culture but making friends from around the world. They are also able to compare notes on employers and accommodation and support each other to reduce the chance of being underpaid or exploited.
If you are coming as an individual student to Australia, a single national school is always a red flag of a school that risks being closed by the government. Go outside your culture to an Australian run school with students from around the world.
After a year of ELICOS you can then study IELTS and PTE genuinely and pass the test on your merit. It really isn’t as difficult as the internet or overseas immigration agents will tell you and most students pass on their first sitting.
From there with knowledge of English and Australia, you will know what kind of course to goon to that will lead you to where you want to be.
Have you had any such experiences?
IELTS & PTE TUTORING & COSULTANCY 
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