Melbourne, Apr. 16 : The Australian Government has been asked to launch an inquiry into the mistreatment of international students amid reports that corrupt training colleges are exploiting them.

The National Union of Students NUS) has claimed that international pupils are being exploited by dodgy English-language providers, unscrupulous landlords and bosses.

"There are still a few dodgy higher education providers out there who are offering qualifications well below quality standards," Fox News quoted union president David Barrow, as saying in a statement.

"A full inquiry will get the facts on the table (and) be good for Australia''s reputation, the sector and the well-being of international students," he added.

Barrow said foreign students also faced problems when seeking employment because they were allowed to work only 20 hours a week, forcing some into black market jobs and under-the-counter arrangements.

International education is worth 14 billion dollars to Australia and is the nation''s third-largest export industry after coal and iron. (ANI)