India and Australia have signed a framework mechanism for mutual recognition of qualifications. The agreement will facilitate the movement of Indian professionals to Australia and vice versa by recognizing the qualifications of each other’s countries.
The agreement was signed during a virtual meeting between Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar and Australian Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge on March 10, 2023. This agreement will be instrumental in increasing the employability of Indian professionals in Australia and vice versa.
The mutual recognition of qualifications will be a huge advantage for Indian students and professionals seeking job opportunities in Australia. It will reduce the time and cost involved in getting their qualifications recognized in Australia. This will also make it easier for Indian professionals to migrate to Australia for work.
Speaking on the occasion, Jaishankar said that this agreement was an important milestone in the bilateral relationship between India and Australia. He added that the agreement would help in boosting trade and investment between the two countries.
Tudge said that the agreement would enable Australian employers to access a larger pool of highly qualified Indian professionals. This would help to fill the skills shortage in Australia and boost economic growth.
The agreement covers a wide range of professions, including engineering, accounting, nursing, and architecture. It will also cover vocational education and training (VET) qualifications. The agreement will allow Indian and Australian students to undertake short-term study programs in each other’s countries, thereby increasing academic and research collaboration.
The signing of the agreement comes at a time when the Australian government is seeking to increase the number of Indian students studying in Australia. According to the Australian government, Indian students account for the second-largest group of international students in Australia after Chinese students.
The agreement is a part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia, which was established in 2021. The partnership aims to strengthen the economic and strategic ties between the two countries.