Sharyn MASKELL

Abstract: The role of international education agents is critical to the recruitment of high-quality international students to study in a diverse range of host destinations. With increasing competition and complexity in the global education ecosystem, it is essential to ensure this channel is respected and supported by effective quality assurance. Australia has robust legislation in place to protect the rights of international students, however, an important and underresearched area of this legislative framework is the regulation of commercial education agents. In late 2025, the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) commenced work on an Agent Quality Research Project led by a Steering Committee comprising IEAA Board members and sector leaders. This session presents the findings of, and future thinking around, this important project to APAIE delegates. Attendees will hear from members of the project Steering Committee as well as the researchers involved in the project. Importantly, attendees will be encouraged to consider and apply learnings to agent regulation systems in their own home countries and across the Asia Pacific region. Learning objectives: The audience will: - Learn about the findings of IEAA’s Agent Quality Research project undertaken in 2025/26 and apply these to other Asia-Pacific nations and economies. - Be updated on developments since the research was launched in March 2026. - Participate in interactive Q&A with representatives of the project Steering Committee and researchers. Target audience: This session is highly relevant to APAIE delegates who work with education agents or recruitment partners; who work as education agents or recruitment partners; as well as those who are interested in policy and regulation matters which impact student recruitment and international education.