“Banning education agents from gaining unnecessary commissions will strengthen integrity in Australia’s international education system, and put the interests of students first,” he said.International students often rely on education agents to navigate admissions, visas and enrolment decisions. The Government argues that commission-driven transfers can disrupt studies, increase costs and leave students worse off academically and financially.Hill said the ban would address this pattern directly. The Government said providers will receive direct communication once the updated National Code is published, including guidance on compliance.The effectiveness of the ban will depend on how closely it is monitored and enforced. While the policy addresses commissions tied to transfers, agents will continue to play a central role in international recruitment more broadly.Over time, the impact is likely to be felt not through headline shifts, but through quieter changes: fewer rapid transfers, more stable enrolments and clearer lines of accountability between agents, providers and students. Whether those outcomes materialise will determine whether the reform achieves its stated aim of placing student interests at the centre of Australia’s international education system.

Source: International New York Times January 30, 2026 14:55 UTC