US/ Australia trade agreement agreement includes recognition of degrees?

Hi all,

The latest breaking news, approximately 6 hours ago, is the historical agreement struck between the US and Australia re-free trade in goods and services.

The latest headlines:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8627214%255E1702,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8627243%255E1702,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8627205%255E1702,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8627186%255E1702,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8627182%255E1702,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8627124%255E1702,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8627121%255E1702,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8627105%255E1702,00.html

I am *positive* I heard on the news this morning that in the agreement, the US had agreed to recognise Australian degrees. I have no further details, and am trying to find out more information. If anybody has anything to add, I would appreciate it.

Cheers,

George

 

I apologise for my ignorance, but I had assumed that the US had long ago agreed to recognize Australian degrees. No? You seem to be saying this is not the case? So does this mean that before today no one with an Australian degree has been able to obtain employment in the US? Or with the US governement? Help me here.
Jack

 

Hi Jack,

No, not at all. Recognition of any degree is at the discretion of the institution/ employer etc - this has never changed. From my understanding, there *may* be some form of newbroad policy statement re-recognition/ use/ utility of Australian degrees in the USA - I think, I am just trying to track down the facts.

Cheers,

George

 

Free trade in services necessitates recognizing credentials of the other country. While under the North American Free Trade Act, I can work in the US, I don't think I can demand the same accounting license I have in Canada. Also I am fairly sure that recognition does not extend beyond government recognition.

 

Australia-United States FTA - Overview

• 4. Education will particularly benefit from the greater recognition of Australian degrees and other aspects of the Agreement promoting more liberal services trade.
  5. Australia is a net exporter of education services to the United States, which benefits not only our universities, but all businesses that provide services to US students when they live in Australia.

 

The question is whether US universities who may wish to come to Australia are able to access universities subsidies and grants on the same footing as Australian Universities.

Australian university education is subsidised by the federal government (HECS) and, additionally, universities get grants for various undertakings.

Whilst this only applies to government originated universities, what effect,if any, does it have on US universities who wish to compete in the same market for students. It is not a level playing field with the student subsidised by the commonweath.

The US university may have a market edge by relocating part of its operations to Australia, developing educational product in Australia, accessing HECS for local students to offset costs, then bring the product back into the US as distance learning.

The question is whether this is possible under the agreement?

 

Exactly. And, more to the point, what kind of US university? RA, DETC, State licensed etc etc? I am sure this has been stiched up already, and have made contact with the NTEU who tell me that guidelines have been developed. I will post them if anyone is interested.

Cheers,

George

 

I don't know about others but I am. I haven't quite thought this through yet and it might make a difference with my vote later in the year depending the pros and cons.