Foreign students with the majority of them coming from developing countries have been dubbed the "New Asylum Seekers". They check the skilled migration jobs list and study the course that will get them residence, especially in hospitality, hairdressing. I have heard a Chinese student interviewed on ABC Radio National who thinks it is strange that he speaks mainly Chinese in an English speaking country to his classmates - as it is about 60% foreign students doing his course. He said he is finding it difficult to learn English. Only in recent times has there been more emphasis on English requirements for student visas, as before, the education providers did not care much about English language skills as all they wanted was the foreign students' money! ...cont

I have also heard other various interviews from relevant parties from Radio National that the large percentage of foreign students (at least 25%) is becoming a problem. I have also heard personally that foreign students are taking preference over locals for placements in high schools - at schools where their parent had attended and wanted their own child to go to same school. There is also a lack of housing everywhere which doesn't help issues. Our migration intake is bigger than ever and our current infrastructure is unable to cope - let alone the effects on water shortages and other environment concerns. Universities have become administrative bureaucracies and a significant number of dodgy colleges have arisen to mainly cater for foreign students. Academic quality it seems is going down the drain. Politically correct debates are only acceptable in the education institutions these days. Goodbye sincere intellectual inquiry - it is deemed too dangerous.
(I tried to post this article before my previous comment without success last night.)

Banjo
If we know that it is illegal for foreign students to work, if employers know that they will pay a hard fine if they employee foreign students, then Australian labours know what to do.
I do not say 100% of foreign stuidents will stop working but sure most of them. If we sent home any one who work illegaly then I am sure they will not risk any more their studies in Australia.
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

ASymeonakis, and Banjo

Think about the implications from a case study.

A wage complaint was laid against a textile industry employer. When the inspector called to investigate, the employer pulled out his chequebook and said, "How much do I have to pay?

This type of employer is usually philosophical about having to back pay for one complaint. He/she knows they have several others employed who will not complain. So what is the net outcome?
The employer is already making a profit on the other illegal employment. Paying out for one, the employer is still ahead. That employee would have left the company before making the wage complaint.
Remember my earlier comment stating that an inspector may only investigate that complaint unless the others ask for a whole investigation. This would require consensus of all the workers.
I will add this was the position when I worked for the government.
What the present situation is, what with self-regulation, and privatisation of employment agencies and education and industry training, I cannot comment.
I retired at the end of 1994, although continue to work as a volunteer community advocate.
It is while working as an advocate, I hear complaints and I remember advising one young person to go back to their case manager and tell them what was happening.
Contacting me later, he told me that he had been advised, “You should thank your lucky stars you have a job. There are others waiting to take your place”.
However, I would defend Australians of English origin are not all responsible for the racism and exploitation. Many immigrants settling here from other countries or their children are just as bad.

A member of this forum questioned the accuracy of the statistics and figures quoted for foreign students.
When statistics are quoted without the figures or the source of the data, I am cynical and remind you of an old saying “add a pinch of salt”. With some of the government figures and other sources, I would recommend adding the bag and keeping the pinch of salt:).
Regards
Professori_au