Prime Highlights
- AIECA launched in Melbourne as Australia’s new peak body for international education consultants.
- Victoria announced a refreshed international education strategy covering student experience, growth, global partnerships, and transnational education.
Key Facts
- AIECA was formed through a merger of the Education Consultants Association of Australia and the International Student Education Agents Association.
- A key objective for AIECA is securing the legal right for education agents to provide migration advice to international student visa holders.
Background
A new industry association representing international education consultants launched in Melbourne last week, bringing together sector leaders, education agents, and consultants from across Australia under a single national body.
The Australian International Education Consultants Association (AIECA) was formed through a merger of the Education Consultants Association of Australia and the International Student Education Agents Association. The body aims to establish a unified national voice for the sector.
AIECA Chief Executive Officer Robert Parsonson described the association as the missing piece in the consumer puzzle, saying its key priorities include accrediting and registering agents and securing the legal right for education agents to provide migration advice to student visa holders. He said AIECA’s broader goal was to become the peak body for education agents and take a seat at the table in national policy discussions.
Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Steve Dimopoulos defended the role of international education at the launch, telling attendees that international students become part of Australia’s story, not just its student population. He also announced that the Victorian Government is refreshing its international education strategy, with a focus on enhancing the student experience, driving sustainable growth, expanding global partnerships, and transnational education.
The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Fang Xinwen, described education as one of the most important bridges connecting nations, cultures, and future generations, and expressed confidence in deeper Australia-China cooperation across student mobility, research, and innovation.
AIECA inaugural Chairman Gary Li set the tone for the association’s mission, saying international students are young people with dreams, not visa numbers.
