Renting Checklist - 4 basic questions

Renting your first property is a major life event, equally daunting and exciting. To help you on your journey to here are the 4 essential questions you should ask when inspecting a property.

1. How long will the lease be?
Most renters hold the assumption that landlords always prefer long leases, but there are times when a property is only available for a limited period. Ensure you and the landlord are on the same page when it comes to how long you can stay in the property.

2. How long is the notice period?
The apartment is cozy, the neighbourhood is friendly, you never want to leave.. but it's always worthwhile asking about the notice period ie. how much notice you need to give prior to moving out. Of course, you can always break a lease and move out instantly if you need to, but generally giving required notice is the most cost-effective way of leaving a property.

3. What happens if I break the lease?
In some cases you might need to leave a property before your lease is up, so make sure you're ready for your responsibilities pertaining to this. You might have to continue paying rent until the property is rented out to someone else, or until your lease expires - whichever comes first. You might also be liable for a percentage of the advertising costs and the agent's reletting fee.

If you're renting a room, you might lose your bond if you move out early.

There are special circumstances when you can break your lease without penalty, for example, when the landlord has put the property up for sale and did not inform you prior to signing the lease. (Question 1 should sidestep this potential minefield!)

4. Who looks after what?
If your rental comes with special frills like a tennis court, a garden or a swimming pool, it is a good idea to check whose responsibility it is to maintain the special facility. For more basic properties, you can also ask if the landlord will take care of repairs within the property.

It's always wise to have a grasp of your rights as a renter, and here's where you can educate yourself through the resources here.

Your university should also have an Accommodation Officer who can assist you.

Enjoy the search, there's no better feeling than when you finally find your ideal accommodation - a place to call home for the next few years.

Last but not least, make sure you're saving on your international student payments with NexPay, so you have extra money to spend on furnishing!

Sources - Domain

Australian beach safety

Australia is a beach-centric country, so much so that some of us even celebrate Australia Day by congregating at the world-famous Bondi beach and attempt to break world records by floating on giant inflatable Havaianas en masse.

Australia Day tradition

It can be all too easy to overlook beach safety, but here are some common things to look out for on Australian beaches.

1/ Always swim between the flags.

Swim between the flags

These are the horizontally striped red and yellow flags. Surf lifesavers keep a watchful eye on the waters, especially within this area.

2/ Look at the safety signs.

Yes, these actually mean something

Safety signs are there to pinpoint potential dangers and daily conditions of the beach / sea.

3/ Never swim at dusk or night.

Your swimming partner at dusk

Because sharks are most active at dusk and at night. And the fin you see might not be attached to something cute -

Stay safe and have a great break!

New Year Resolutions - make 'em stick!

Happy New Year!

It's that time of the year again, when everything seems brand new and hopeful, and everybody seems to be inspired to better their lives in some way.

While working towards your goal, it is important to maintain morale by giving yourself treats.

A treat is not a reward. A treat is something nice you give yourself for no reason other than to make yourself feel happy. A reward is something to be earned.

Because the mental willpower required to build or change a habit is exhaustible, it is essential that this power source is topped up, and what better way to do it than in the form of treats?

Little treats like scented candles, music and scheduling time to relax in bed work. But there are a few tricky areas - food, shopping and watching TV are treats which can easily extend beyond treat territory and end up causing guilt for people.

Telling yourself that you are enjoying a treat in the form of [insert your treat here] also serves to enhance the experience.

NexPay's New Year Resolution for 2015 remains the same - to make international student payments more affordable for students! We have exciting plans for this year so make sure you're following us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Weibo and LinkedIn!

Good luck with your new year resolutions!

A new take on 'no pain, no gain'

When students want to know how studying at an education feels like, who better to ask than current students, right?

With this in mind, students' ratings of their courses are a part of prospective students' considerations when selecting a school. But is this such a good idea? Recent studies have reached the conclusion that students report a more positive perception of their teachers when they learn less.

Strict teachers are good for you!

The studies build on the proven premise that students experience a time lapse in between intensive learning and academic performance, meaning that the better the teaching quality, the better students will do later during their course.

Students tend to evaluate teachers positively when they receive high grades for a unit of study, and less positively when teachers are stricter. ('This lecturer is not an easy marker, he really makes you work for your grades! He's the best!' said no one ever.)

In this scenario, it was found that students rated courses in which they received good grades highly, but did worse in later courses. Thus it appears that students' satisfaction with units of study are linked to two factors - good grades and limited learning.

So what does this mean for students - both in university and those looking to enter university?

1. You reap what you sow
Students have to shoulder responsibility for their own learning, and understand that effort plays a much crucial role in influencing results in comparison to ability.

2. No pain, no gain
Not all effort are created equal. Effort can be easy - attending lectures, reading materials - or challenging - for example, self testing. The more difficult a task is, the more students learn. So embrace the tough stuff.

3. Take student evaluation results with a pinch of salt
Happy students may not be learning effectively. Happiness is subjective enough as it is, and when funding and ranking relies on students' evaluations - and when students are aware of this - they may be incentivised to give glowing reviews.

In the end, it is your own hard work which matters the most.

Source: The Conversation

Free movie screenings in Sydney

Yes, such events exist. If you - or your wallet - is getting tired from all the delicious food, plays, exhibitions etc. which Sydney has to offer, here are a couple of places which offers a place to kick back, relax and unwind with some good movies -

1. Cinema on the Park
Address: 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Nearest train station: Museum

Watch Korean films in Sydney for free!

Run by the Korean Cultural Office, this event offers free movie screenings and Korean snacks most Thursday evenings throughout the year. The central city location makes it an ideal place to chill after a day at work. Snack bar opens from 6pm - 6.30pm and all movies have English subtitles. No entry after 7pm.

For the full 2014 program, go to Cinema on the Park.

2. Pop Cinema
Address: Art Gallery of New South Wales. Art Gallery Road, Sydney NSW 2000
Nearest train station: St James

A Beatles movie/documentary is included in the movie lineup.

In line with the current Pop to popism exhibition at the gallery, Sydneysiders get to relive the pop era with a film series of Hollywood movies, ground-breaking cartoons, documentaries and rare experimental films by pop artists.

This screening runs on various Wednesdays and Sundays from 29 October 2014 to 1 March 2015.

For the full program, go to Film Series: Pop Cinema.

New study makes the link between study abroad and employability

Amidst a backdrop of record youth unemployment in many parts of the world, a new European Commission study released this month shows that young people who study or train abroad gain key skills highly coveted by employers, in addition to learning specific knowledge.

The Erasmus Impact Study found that internationally mobile students are half as likely to experience long-term unemployment compared to their peers who have not studied or trained abroad. The benefit of studying abroad extends to 5 years after graduation, when students who have studied abroad have a 23% lower chance of unemployment.

Employers' perspective on study abroad

Funnily enough, the traits valued by employers - such as tolerance, confidence, problem-solving skills, curiosity, self-awareness and decisiveness - were higher in students bound for exchange even before they went on exchange, and by the time they get back, the differences in these values increases by 42% on average, compared with other students.

Make the decision to study abroad today!

Visit www.nexpay.com.au to find out how you can save on your international student payments.

Are postgraduate studies worth it?

Recently it seems like the trendiest trend in higher education is postgraduate studies. Before, the ultimate dream of middle-class parents for their kids is a college education. Now that everybody has a degree, it seems that the only way to stand out is by pursuing even further studies. But having spent a considerable amount of money on an undergraduate course, is it worth the additional costs and effort to obtain a master's degree?

Continuing education - is it for you?

Graduate Careers Australia (GCA) has observed that 94% of postgraduates are employed shortly after the conclusion of their course, and that the unemployment rate amongst postgraduate degree holders is 3%, which is lower than the average 5.3% for the entire workforce.

In addition, certain industries require a minimum of a master's degree to practise eg. teaching. Also, a global survey of employers have revealed a very promising picture on students considering postgraduate studies in business and management - Asia Pacific's strong focus on growth is driving increased hiring of MBA and other postgraduate qualifications holders in the region, with the most in-demand degrees being masters in accounting, finance and/or management.

Research has shown that postgraduates enjoy better employment outcomes, higher salaries and are more likely to be employed in high-level positions. Employers value the personal development which occurs during postgraduate studies, and students get the opportunity to experiment with different ideas and ways of thinking.

However, it would be unwise to expect an immediate payoff upon graduation - it may take a couple of years before the financial benefits kick in. The overall median salary for postgraduates is $75,000 in 2012, an increase from $73,000 in 2011.

There are also predictions that PhDs by coursework will be the next trend in higher education, as students strive to differentiate themselves from the surging number of postgraduates.

Do you think a postgraduate degree is worth it?

Avoiding the Freshman Fifteen

Rites of passage - graduating from high school, going off to college.. these are all milestones which mark our growth from children to adults. However, one rather unsavoury part of the typical growing up stages which most university students go through is the 'freshman fifteen'.

The term 'freshman fifteen' refers to the weight (15 pounds or 7 kilos) commonly stacked on by first year students (freshman). For the first time in their lives, students are moving out from home, away from parents and home-cooked meals, sharing a communal kitchen with other young students whose diet pyramid looks like this -

The college food pyramid

And let's not forget the booze.

What to do?

1. Be prepared. Some students (me) get taken by surprise when they start packing on the kilos because they had never gained weight quickly before. Know that it might happen, and -

2. Do like a Scout and be prepared. Have a game plan ready.

Part 1 of your game plan would be some no-cook dorm friendly healthy meals -

Oatmeal with fruits

• Oatmeal with fruits

Kickstart your day with rolled oats and milk, easily cooked in the microwave and topped with fruits for added fanciness.

PB&J + Banana sandwich

• Peanut butter and jelly + banana sandwiches.

For an easy, portable and delicious meal.

2-minute Quesadillas

• 2-minute quesadillas

Just layer your favourite quesadillas ingredients (beans / diced tomatoes / avocados / cheese etc.) on a tortilla and microwave for approximately 1 minute.

Part 2 involves activity!

Aim to go for a 15 minute power jog / swim daily, join a sports club (also great for meeting people) and/or try to walk instead of catching public transport if you can.

Recruit a friend to help you stay committed.

With a bit of common sense (not overdoing it with alcohol), you can stay fit and healthy throughout your uni days!

Multiple choice questions abolished at Central Queensland University

Multiple Choice Questions (often fondly referred to by students as MCQs) will no longer be used as an exam format at Central Queensland University (CQU).

Are multiple choice questions a thing of the past?

Is this good news or bad?

As a student, I personally loved MCQs - it gave me a 20-25% chance of getting the correct answer when I'm stumped by the questions. If desperate and given enough time, I can even sneakily reverse engineer answers.

Plus it's less stressful to pick from 5 options instead of having to sift through all the information in my brain to access the appropriate answer.

Because MCQ exams are usually marked by machines, students get their results quicker, and marking feels more objective.

Unfortunately, some of these reasons why I adore MCQs is what led to its abolishment from CQU, understandably -

CQU pro vice chancellor Professor Rob Reed has expressed that to be able to apply learnings in the real world, students must get used to forming answers with their own minds because it is highly unlikely students will get presented with a few neat alternatives to make a selection once they graduate. Students will have to come up with the alternatives themselves.

Also, by allowing students the flexibility of writing their own answers, it is believed that students will be better positioned to display their knowledge instead of losing out if they get confused by the sometimes deceptively similar MCQ answers.

Short answers - as short as a single word - will replace MCQ when CQU starts a new term next month.

Do you prefer MCQs or subjective answers?

Follow us for Australian student news!

Source: The Australian

What makes Australian universities different?

Going to university is one of the most exciting times of a person's life, especially when one has the opportunity to study abroad. With seemingly endless university choices, here's what makes Australian universities stand out on the global arena.

The University of Sydney

1. Australia preserves the high quality of its universities relatively small - at 39 universities currently. To become a university in Australia, a higher education provider has to satisfy demanding requirements. Even a reputable university from another country cannot set up in Australia as a university without fulfilling these rigorous criteria.

In many countries, even the US, there are few restrictions to using the title 'university'. But in Australia the right to call an education provider a university is very valuable and jealously guarded.

2. The university sector in Australia is very stable. Australian universities are well managed with high levels of accountability and transparency. It is hard to even imagine circumstances which would lead to a university in Australia going into liquidation and closing down.

The Australia university sector is not based on a quota system - it is based on quality. As long as an education provider satisfies the legislated criteria for this title, it can be classified as a university. Quality is the underlying thread running through all Australian universities.

3. Students are eligible for post study work visas which allows them to work temporarily in Australia upon graduation, obtaining valuable work experience.

As a student agent, these factors would be good to know when helping your student select the most suitable higher education destination.

Sources: The Knight Review

Coping with deregulation

How will deregulation of the Australian education industry affect universities? International students? Education Agents?

There has been much discussion about the issue of deregulating the Australian education industry, ranging from support over universities' increased autonomy in deciding on curriculum and cost to students, to concerns that higher education will become even more inaccessible for students, as government funding continues to drop.

Universities may raise fees depending on the courses which they will offer and their popularity with students - hence courses with exorbitant pricing will find few students, if any, willing to shell out for them. Undergraduate studies in Australia will remain reasonably priced, but universities looking to control costs further can seek other ways to do it, such as reigning in administrative costs.

For education agents, universities can up the ratio of international intakes to stabilise school operations as local students may seek to pursue studies abroad with deregulation bringing local education expenses up to par with global standards - however it is worth noting that Australia offers income-contingent student loans, so local intakes may remain steady.

Nevertheless, should current trends continue, the number of international students would grow, and this means increased administrative efforts to bring international students into Australia and maintaining a positive experience for the student.

Australia remains a popular higher education destination because of its world class education standards, and also because of its attractive post-study work rights. Measures such as scaling back on administrative expenses are a way to improve operations, deregulation or no.

NexPay offers favourable exchange rates for students and a free reconciliation service for education providers and education agents in Australia. This helps keeps administrative effort minimal, as NexPay guarantees all payment receipts are in the full amount (no more short payments!).

Visit www.nexpay.com.au for more information on how we can help you and your students save now!

Source: The Australian

Every student needs this recipe: 30 minute no cream carbonara

Pasta Carbonara

Want to eat this for dinner?

Good news - it only takes 30 minutes, leaving you with ample time to study/kill off another couple of annoying characters in your online games/browse through ASOS.

Even better news - the sauce requires a grand total of 4 ingredients, which you probably already have in your larder. (Eggs, cheese, bacon, black pepper.)

Ingredients
3 - 4 bacon, sliced thinly

1/2 onion, chopped (for added fanciness)

3 - 5 cloves garlic, chopped (for added fanciness)

2 eggs

50g Parmesan cheese, grated

Black pepper to taste

Olive oil for cooking

Pasta for 2, your preference

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to instructions on packet.

2. While pasta is cooking, chop/slice garlic, bacon and onion.

3. In a bowl, mix eggs, cheese and black pepper.

4. Heat up oil in pan, cook bacon until nearly crispy, then add onion and garlic.

5. When pasta is cooked, drain and add to pan. Mix well with bacon.

6. Turn off the heat (remove from stove if you are using electric heat instead of gas - this prevents the eggs from scrambling)

7. Add egg mixture into pan. Coat pasta evenly.

8. Serve with black pepper and more cheese!

Source: www.suanie.net

What to do if your Australian student visa gets cancelled

As per the 2014 Federal Budget, a 'super tribunal' will be created - as a merger of the Migration Review Tribunal, the Administrative Reviews Tribunal, the Classification Review Board, Refugee Review Tribunal and Social Security Appeals Tribunal.

Visa application

For international students, this means that you will have to contact the 'super tribunal' instead of the Migration Review Tribunal (which is the point of contact to appeal visa cancellations) or the Administrative Reviews Tribunal (where visa cancellations due to character issues are appealed).

This change is expected to kick into effect on 1 July 2015, and it is expected to provide an 'accessible 'one-stop shop' ' to rectify visa issues and provide a fair and economical service which is also simpler and faster.

Faster Australian student visas

Since 22 March 2014, international students and education providers in Australia have enjoyed faster and simpler Australian student visas processing from changes introduced which includes

• a refined assessment level (AL) framework - in use NOW
• the extension of streamlined visa processing to certain non-university degree providers - to commence early 2015

Faster Australian student visas

What is the Assessment Levels Framework?

The AL framework manages immigration risk in the student visa programme by aligning minimum evidentiary requirements from student visa applications to the immigration risks posed by applicants of a particular country applying for a particular student visa subclass.

Assessments Levels

Simplifying the AL framework benefits students from China and India, and has assisted vocational education and training students. Assessments levels have been reduced from 5 to 3 (with AL4 and AL5 being grouped in AL3), and financial evidence for AL3 has been reduced from 18 months to 12 months. Note: AL1 is the lowest risk.

In addition, English language proficiency, financial capacity and previous study requirements have been lowered. This means that certain students can begin studying in Australia at a less advanced level now.

Extension of Streamlined Visa Processing

Streamlined visa processing allows eligible student visa applicants from participating universities and eligible non-university higher education providers are assessed as though they are a lower immigration risk, irrespective of country of origin.

The government has announced that it intends to further extend streamlined visa processing to low immigration risk education providers offering advanced diploma courses. This new arrangement is anticipated to start in early 2015.

Visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website for more information.

How you get cheated on bank exchange rates

International trade has became such as integral of daily life that most of us cannot remember the times when purchasing an item from abroad was not a common occurrence. However, how often do we pause to give thought to how much we're actually paying in foreign exchange?

Banks are always looking for creative ways to charge you extra fees, and one of their profit boosters is by cheating on foreign exchange rates. Let's see how the banks are doing this, and how you can avoid losing your hard-earned cash.

Bank of Evil

Dishonest bank foreign exchange fees

The inter-bank exchange rate is the foreign exchange rate that banks pay each other when exchanging money. Customers will not get this rate, as banks usually charge a fee on top.

Banks include this fee in the foreign exchange rate and don't break it down for customers. Hence customers never actually know the premium charged by banks. In addition, banks charge a transaction fee to process the exchange.

Major banks such as the Bank of New York Mellon have been sued over dodgy foreign exchange transactions. Moreover, 12 of the largest banks in the world were accused of rigging foreign exchange rates for profits in their favour.

No bank fees

What about banks which proclaim that they are not charging any fees? It is common for banks to not charge any fees but to skim a hefty percentage of the payment for profits. How can we tell? By comparing bank foreign exchange rates with mid market rates.

Mid market rates

The mid market rate is the mid-point between currency buy and sell rates, and the sweet spot which customer transactions should be based on. Banks and brokers will adjust their rates daily, and it will usually differ from the mid market rate.

Recipient charges

If you think being walloped by bank fees (hidden or otherwise) + transaction fee + unfavourable foreign exchange rate is bad enough, it gets worse - the receiver gets hit with bank fees for receiving payment as well.

When the payment arrives at the recipient's bank account, the amount may be less than expected due to the banks' skimming of fees. The recipient will then have to contact the sender to make another payment to correct the payment amount, wasting time, energy and money for both sides.

The average one way fee is 3.5%, meaning if you transfer $100,000 , you just paid the bank $3,500 for sending the money, and there may be additional fees awaiting the recipient. The math is easy - services which offer a better exchange rate and protect recipients from bank fees so that the quoted amount is always received, can save money senders a lot of hassle and headache, especially for regular senders or when sending a large amount.

Banking goes online

Thankfully, gone are the days when the only place you can conduct a foreign exchange transaction to make an international payment is at the bank.

A slew of mobile banking, online banking and specialised payment services have popped up, and there is a product out there to tailor to each and every specific need. Customers can also combine payment methods to ensure maximum savings.

NexPay is a payment service which makes international student payments (to Australia) simple and easy. We offer a lower exchange rate and ensures that recipients always receive the quoted amount by never charging bank fees in Australia.

If you're a service provider within the Australian education sector - agent, school or accommodation - you'll be happy to know NexPay also offers a free reconciliation service to ensure you always stay on top of your payment receipts.

Share this to ensure your mates never get ripped off by banks again!

Spring Festival Ideas

Spring break is just around the corner! After 3 months of cold - culminating in a week of rain - everybody is bound to be excited about planning a holiday with your friends!

Here's what's happening in Australia this month -

Perth
KOFFIA Korean Film Festival
When: 3 - 6 September 2014

Showcasing top 20 Korean films, this festival hosted by the Korean Cultural Office is in its 5th year. From rom-coms to dramas to action, the film selections will have you laughing and crying. In addition, there will be a raffle and photo ops. (All films are screen with English subtitles.)

Sydney
Sydney Fringe Festival
When: 1 - 30 September 2014

New South Wales' biggest independent arts festival is back for its 5th year! This spring, look beneath Sydney's glossy exterior and check out the city's emerging artists. There will be public forums, dynamic performances and an art e-tailer Art Pharmacy.

Melbourne
The Nutcracker
12 - 25 September 2014

Boasting the most expensive piece in the company's costume archive - at $10,000 for the tutu - Peter Wright's production of The Nutcracker is considered the most beautiful in the world. Expect traditional Nutcracker delights with additions such as a Rose Fairy!

Australia has amazing festivals year-round and is an ideal country to receive an education. To learn how you can save on school fees, visit us at www.nexpay.com.au

We also offer free reconciliation services for agents and schools.

Follow NexPay to get the latest news in Australian education.

5 of the most unusual journeys to school in the world

As Australia enters spring, it is easy to want to skip class - 'the weather is wonderful and I must go bask in the sunshine after a week of rain', or 'I can't leave my house with all that rain!' Whilst the journey from bed to class can sometimes feel like the longest trip ever, here are some pictures of what some people do just to get to school -

5. Gulu, China

The most remote school in the world

It takes 5 hours on a 1-ft track to get to the most remote school in the world.

4. Zhang Jiawan Village, Southern China

Students climbing unsecured wooden ladders

3. Lebak, Indonesia

Students crossing a damaged suspension bridge

India's largest steel producer PT Krakatau Steel, has built a new bridge, so students can cross the bridge safely.

2. Rizal Province, Philippines

Riding an inflated tyre tube to get to school

1. Delhi, India

Students riding a horse cart

To make the cost of study less painful, check out NexPay!

We also offer free reconciliation for agents and schools.

Follow us to get the latest news in Australian education!

Photo source: Bored Panda

5 Things to Know this Week

Brangelina is officially married. (Sydney Morning Herald) You already knew that? Bet you haven't seen the 'paparazzi shots' (Daily Mail)

Brangelina wedding

Emoji is so July. Imoji (personalised emojis with your own face!) is the way to go. Better yet? It's free!

With the incessant rain and cold (as in runny rose cold) season around, be sure to eat healthy to keep your immune system up. Here are 10 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget. (And to save money, use NexPay, of course!)

What does your handwriting say about you? Because it's very important to know. (StumbleUpon)

Currency is King

New Student Payments System Offers Lower Exchange Rates and No Bank Fees.

Sydney, August 19, 2014– With Australia’s $16b education marketplace looking to grow over the next few years, NexPay has responded to a problem surrounding international students’ payments.

“Basically, both the international students and the local universities, schools and their agents are paying high rates for a mediocre service” says Paul Stokes, Head of Business Development at NexPay.

Stokes adds:- “When an overseas student is asked to make a payment to a local school, they unwittingly pay a higher exchange rate along with other fees for their foreign exchange transaction which can add another $1000 on top of their tuition fee on a $20,000 payment. Then, when the money eventually arrives, the local institution pays a bank charge of anywhere up to $25 per transaction. We think that’s wrong.”

NexPay provides a service where the student is quoted a much fairer rate. They are advised of an amount to pay in their own currency and the rate is fixed for 72 hours.

When the student makes the payment, NexPay guarantees the transfer is completed in just 48 hours. The receiving institution gets the full amount from NexPay – no bank fees – plus they receive a full reconciliation report showing which payment is for which student.

Go Study Australia is an education agency recruiting more than 3,500 international students per year for Australian institutions, providing students with a one-stop-shop service and institutions with a marketing reach in Europe.

Go Study’s Managing Director, Gavin Dowling comments, "Since using NexPay we have not paid any bank fees or had problems with short or missing payments. In the past, international payments were a challenge to reconcile. NexPay solved that problem and our students also get great savings on foreign exchange. NexPay provides us with a simple and easy process that we can rely on."

About NexPay

NexPay is an innovative payment services company that offers real value to the education sector. Students will save on their international tuition. Agents will be able to easily manage all their student payments. And both Educational institutions and Accommodation providers can reduce the costs associated with international transactions.

Established in 2011, NexPay is on a mission to make international student payments fair, simple and secure.

For more information, visit https://nexpay.com.au

Overseas student numbers rebound

After a 5-year slump, Australia's fourth largest export sector grew 11.5% with 422,000 enrolments in the past financial year. This pickup has been predicted by Chaney, a businessman who prepared setting out a five-year strategy for the education sector - which has yet to be addressed by the current government.

Michael Chaney

Unlike international tourism, international education does not have a dedicated minister or coordinating body overseeing the sector. As competitor nations such as Canada and the United States beef up their strategies to acquire more international students, Australia has to remain on its toes to remain relevant to the international education industry.

Chaney has made a number of recommendations to strengthen the international education sector in Australia, namely -

• a new body to take responsibility for promotion and marketing
• national regulation to maintain quality
• create a positive student experience
• encourage Australian institutions and government to form partnerships locally and globally
• ensuring integrity in Australia's student visa program
• continually promote and market Australia as a supplier of high quality education

The International Education Advisory Council has estimated that there will be a 30% increase on international student enrolments in Australia. As education providers await the government response to the Chaney report, certain education agents have begun preparing for the influx of students by turning to services such as NexPay to assist them in keeping track of their payment receipts easily.

To learn more about NexPay, go to www.nexpay.com.au

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Source: The Australian