The discussion comes after months of reforms across Australia's international education sector. Noble said increased scrutiny followed concerns that some applicants appeared to be using the student visa primarily as a pathway into Australia’s labour market rather than for genuine study. “Refusals take a bit longer because we don’t take those decisions lightly… our overall average processing time for an offshore student visa is 14 days.” Closing the discussion, Honeywood argued that Australia’s international education sector needed to make a stronger public case for its wider contribution to the country. Quality being the driver, not only of education offerings but, of course, visa applications as well.”