The international student ombudsman has been encouraging foreign governments to monitor misleading education agents, according to a report in the Australian.
Overseas students often use education agents based in their own country to find a course to study in Australia.
While education agents are invaluable in assisting overseas students with finding and applying to the right higher education institution, some students have complained of agents who provide inaccurate information.
However, it is difficult for Australian universities to tackle the issue of rogue education agents, as they operate outside of Australia.
Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher told delegates at the Council of International Students Australia conference in Melbourne that he is making progress on protecting overseas students from misleading information.
According to the Australian, Mr Asher has had talks with authorities in India and Malaysia, and plans talks with China, Korea, Brazil and Thailand.
Mr Asher has asked authorities to use consumer protection laws to monitor education agents and protect students from unscrupulous behaviour.
Legislation has also been introduced in Australia, giving education providers responsibility for the actions of their agents.
The Overseas Students Ombudsman (OSO) was created to investigate complaints from overseas students studying at private education and training institutes in Australia.
Mr Asher said: "Students may want to complain about issues surrounding fees and refunds, course progress or attendance, cancellation of enrolments or accommodation or work arranged by providers. They may also want to complain about education agents working for their provider.
"We will resolve complaints and provide information to education providers on best-practice complaint handling, drawing on the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s more than 30 years’ experience in complaint investigation. Importantly, we will also publish reports on problems and broader issues in international education identified through investigations."
The Overseas Students Ombudsman provides a free, fair and impartial service. The new role was recommended by the Baird Review and came into effect from 9 April.