The Role of an Education Consultant

An education consultant (also called an education agent or study abroad consultant) helps international students choose courses and institutions in Australia, manage the application process, and prepare for arrival.

The best consultants act as genuine advisors — guiding you toward the right institution and course based on your goals. The worst prioritise institutions that pay the highest commissions, regardless of whether they suit you.

Knowing how to tell them apart is essential.

Why Many Consultants Are Commission-Based

Most education consultants are paid by institutions, not by students. An institution pays the consultant a percentage of your first year's tuition fee when you enrol. This is standard industry practice.

This model creates an inherent conflict of interest. A consultant who earns $4,000 for placing you at University A versus $1,500 for University B has a financial incentive that may not align with your interests.

This does not mean all commission-based consultants are untrustworthy — but it is why you need to understand how they are compensated and ask the right questions.

PIER Registration — The Baseline Standard

Look for a PIER-registered consultant as your starting point. PIER (Professional Institute of Education Representatives) members have agreed to a Code of Ethics that requires:

  • Acting in the student's best interests
  • Disclosing commission arrangements
  • Not misrepresenting institutions or courses
How to verify PIER registration →

Questions to Ask Before Engaging

1. What is your PIER membership number? Get it and verify it at pier.edu.au. 2. How are you paid? Ask directly whether they receive commissions from institutions and from which ones. They must disclose this. 3. Which institutions do you NOT have a relationship with? This is more revealing than asking which institutions they work with. A consultant who only recommends institutions from a narrow partner list may not be giving you complete advice. 4. What is the CRICOS status of the institutions you recommend? All Australian institutions accepting international students must be CRICOS-registered. Verify any institution at cricos.education.gov.au. 5. What happens if I do not receive a visa? A good consultant will have a clear policy on refund of any fees you have paid them if the visa is refused. (Note: institutional fees are refunded under the ESOS framework, not by the consultant.) 6. Can you provide references from students you have placed? A reputable consultant will happily provide references.

Red Flags

  • Recommending only 2–3 institutions regardless of your goals
  • Pressuring you to enrol quickly before "places run out"
  • Guaranteeing admission to institutions without a proper assessment
  • Offering suspiciously low or no fees while earning large commissions
  • Unable to explain why they are recommending a specific institution
  • Not asking about your academic background, English level, or career goals before recommending courses

Matching the Consultant to Your Goals

Different consultants have different specialisations:

University pathway specialists — strong relationships with Group of Eight universities, foundation programs, and pathway colleges. Vocational education (VET) specialists — strong knowledge of TAFE institutions, trade courses, and vocational qualifications. Graduate study specialists — understand postgraduate coursework and research degree requirements. Region specialists — strong knowledge of opportunities in specific cities or states.

The best match for you depends entirely on what you want to achieve. A consultant specialising in graduate law degrees may not be the right choice if you want a TAFE hospitality certificate.

Comparing Multiple Consultants

We recommend speaking to at least two or three consultants before committing. You are making a significant financial and life decision — it is worth the extra time.

Compare PIER-registered education consultants by location and specialisation →