In the wake of a series of attacks on Indian students in Australia, laws in Australia are being amended to make them more stringent and punitive against racial assaults.

The 20-year-old Education Services for Overseas Act, which is a national act, will be reviewed while the Sentencing Act, a legislation of Victoria state where most of the attacks on Indian students have taken place, will be amended to have longer sentences for the offenders of hate crime.

"The Victoria state government will amend the Sentencing Act with provision for longer sentence for those who indulge in hate crime. There will be a new section in this act with reference to racial attacks," Colin Walters, First Assistant Secretary from the Australian Department of Education, said in New Delhi.

Walters, who is leading a delegation to India, said the amended act will be of importance while adjudicating cases of hate crime.

"We will also review the Education Services for Overseas Act to regulate agents recruiting international students for Australia. At times, they do not give correct information to students on safety aspects," Walters said.

Earlier in the day, the Australian delegation met officials of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. At the meeting it was decided to set up a joint working group to coordinate between the two countries in ensuring safety of students.

Walters said the Education Services for Overseas Students Act is a 20-year-old legislation that provides for quality norms for Australian universities.

About 80 per cent of international students for Australia are recruited through agents. About 5.5 lakh international students, including nearly one lakh Indian, pursue higher studies in Australia.

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