Territory, state and federal education ministers have agreed to set up a taskforce, telephone hotline and guidebook to help protect the interests of overseas students studying in Australia.
The move follows recent attacks in Sydney and Melbourne on Indian students which have led to mass protests and threaten Australia's highly lucrative international student market.
At an education ministerial council in Hobart yesterday, Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard agreed to set up a new International Student Taskforce to safeguard students' welfare.
It will work with the special taskforce set up last week and headed by the Prime Minister's national security adviser to coordinate Australia's response to the violence against Indian students.
''Ministers have joined together to unreservedly condemn the violent incidents and problems that international students have experienced in Australia in recent times,'' Ms Gillard said after yesterday's meeting.
''We want international students to come to this country and be safe and happy here.''
ACT Education Minister Andrew Barr said it was critical overseas students continued to see Australia and Canberra as their first choice for education.
''International students are welcome in Canberra, but violence against any student is not,'' Mr Barr said.
''The ACT is a world leader in international education and as such international students are important to our community, our education system and our economy.''
The new taskforce will involve representatives from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations as well as the states and territories, and would work closely with the other taskforce, which includes representatives from the Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Immigration and Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Ms Gillard also announced a 24-hour hotline 1300363079 which will enable students to anonymously raise concerns. Concerns will be collated and published on the www.studyinaustralia.gov.au website. The hotline aims to counter student fears that making a formal complaint could affect their study visas.
All incoming foreign students would be given more comprehensive information, including a copy of the Federal Government's Guide to studying and living in Australia which is provided once they obtain a visa to study in Australia.
Ministers also agreed to ask the joint committee on international education to consider how to better ensure overseas education agents are reputable and responsible in the advice they provide.
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