Australia is tightening English language requirements for foreign students in what it said is a bid to improve standards across the country’s international education market.
Currently, prospective overseas students can take an intensive English course to prepare for further studies if they do not already have other qualifications showing their ability to study in the language.
Education Minister Simon Birmingham said now they will also have to take a new official test of their language skills before they can start such university or vocational studies to ensure they have reached the required standard.
According to government data, there are more than 550,000 international students in Australia, which lists the lucrative sector as the country’s third-largest export earner.
