International students are suffering attacks, limited rights at work and over priced accommodation. These students deserve a fair education just like everyone else. The National Union of Students is calling on the government to implement a raft of reforms that would make education fair for international students, read more here.
Key Achievements in 2009
Introduction
The National Union of Students has taken a renewed proactive, engaged approach to international student issues. With the collapse of the National Liaison Committee in late 2008, the NUS set out to re-establish responsible and effective representation for international students in Australia.
Extremely early in 2009, before the attacks on international students and the private college collapses NUS had begun a campaign addressing key areas of concern for international students, agitating the government to establish better conditions and better rights protections.
In the same week that Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard responded to these problems with the announcement of a Ministerial Roundtable in Canberra, two attacks against international students in Sydney and Melbourne prompted mass rallies of Indian students with widespread media coverage.
The National Union of Students has worked with Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) [capa.edu.au], the Federation of Indian Student Associations (FISA) [www.fisa.org.au], All International Student Association (AISA) [http://www.aisa.asn.au], Australian Federation of International Students [http://internationalstudents.org.au/], Melbourne Graduate Student Association (GSA) [www.gsa.unimelb.edu.au/], Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) [www.usyd.edu.au/supra/] and the Cross-campus concession card campaigns in NSW and Victoria to move the debate beyond safety and security.
Justice for International Students Campaign
The campaign focused on a number of key areas of concern beyond safety and security, see below.
The National Day of Action in second semester engaged thousands of domestic and international students across Australia. Coupled with media and lobbying pressure throughout the second semester, NUS made some early wins.
The development of a comprehensive platform of demands culminated in the NUS Smith Plan. A document written by NUS International Student Researcher Sharon Smith that provides a blue print for a comprehensive overhaul of the current system.
If implemented, the Smith Plan would provide a long-term, sustainable model for international education that ensures the collective and individual welfare, happiness and security of overseas students in Australia and thus key to the viability of the sector.
In late 2009 the collapse of Stirling College and the Global Campus Management Group demonstrated clearly the need for better representation within and of private college students. NUS campaigned with allies for the fair and speedy treatment of these students. In 2010 NUS will expand coverage to those studying in private institutions.
- Policy Issues & Recommendations
- Safety
- Accommodation
- Social Inclusion and Community
- VISA
- Student Support and Advocacy
- Employment and Workplace
- Education Agents and recruitment of international students
- Education provider ownership
- Tertiary Assurance Scheme
- Transport Concession Card
- Health
- Representation
- Private Colleges
Meet the National International Student Officer
Meet the State International Student Officer in:
NSW I VIC I SA I WA I TAS I ACT I QLD
Are you passionate about international student issues?
2009 Key Achievements for international students by NUS
• Establishment of secure, effective and democratic representation of undergraduate international students within NUS
• International Students Conference 2009
• International Students workplace rights media campaign
• Representation and advocacy for students in Sterling and Meridian Colleges
• Agitation for and participation in the International Students Ministerial Roundtable
• Agitation for and Participation in the Senate Inquiry to the Security and Welfare of International students
• Agitation for and Participation in the Educational Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Review.
• Participation in the Australian, New Zealand Human Rights Commission Roundtable on Race Relations.
• National Day of Action for International Student Justice
• Partnerships on the issues built with wide range of social justice and advocacy organisations.
• Re-registration of Private Providers Legislation
• Commencement of overseas migration agent clean up
• Separation of International Department of Education’s quality and marketing divisions
• International Student Fire Safety campaign
• Establishment of International Student consultative council
• Educating Australian society and mobilising goodwill and action toward international student welfare
• Development of the NUS Smith Plan
International students campaign
