International Students are Exploited in Australia

Having study overseas could be a great experience and also a dream of many students (or students wanna be) in a lifetime. Australia is one of leading countries (beside US and UK) that has attracted many students to come and study. In 2007, around 450,000 International Students were studying in Australia which increase to 18% from last year figures. This number is predicted to double by 2025. International Students has contributed a sum of $ 11 billion per year to the local economic development and it has replaced tourism as Australia top major income (the third largest after coal and iron-ore). In Victoria, they are the biggest income provider.
However, International Students seems as "money spinner" since they only come here not to build relationship with Australian or sharing knowledge. They were attaracted to come here to pay unreasonable high fees, which is believed as the main source for economic prosperity in Australia. Thus, this problem leads to the exploitation.
Futhermore International Students are less knowledge about their rights. In one case in Victoria, International Students were being underpaid and sexually harassed. Some of them also work overtime than they suppose to have. Others main concern of the issue are; the corrupt provider, lack of affordable accommodation and personal safety.
Federal and State Government supposed to take significant action as they heavily dependent on this industry. Because universities in Australia can not merely depend on local students.

Sources :

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/11/2361735.htm
http://www.theage.com.au/national/stop-exploitation-student-union-tells-tertiary-review-20080805-3qlb.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/international-student-numbers-to-rise-recruiter/2007/09/18/1189881513959.html
http://www.theage.com.au/national/taskforce-to-study-overseas-students-20080918-4jek.html?skin=text-only