Robert Parsonson has been part of Australia’s international education story for a very long time. His first AIEC, back when it was still the IDP conference, was in Sydney in 1994. He had just returned from four years in Japan, stood up in front of a room full of people, and gave a presentation on how to work with agents and build relationships in Japan. That presentation became a launchpad. In this episode of Global Horizons, Rob Malicki sits down with Robert Parsonson on Ngunnawal country in Canberra to trace a career that has moved through Japan, ELICOS, VET, recruitment, agent networks, industry advocacy and the long, complicated evolution of Australian international education. Robert’s story starts with Japan in the 1980s, when it felt like the place to be. He went for a year, stayed for four, and came back with a deep understanding of relationship-building, humility, patience and how to work across cultures. As he explains, you do not walk into a market with all the answers. You listen. You learn. You build trust. That theme runs through the whole conversation. Because this is also a conversation about education agents, and the gap between the lazy public stereotype of the “dodgy agent” and the reality of an industry where most agents are doing the hard, human work of helping students and families navigate complex decisions, visa systems and life-changing study choices. Rob and Robert dig into the origins of SYMPLED, the creation of ISEA, the push for industry-led agent accreditation, and why accountability, transparency and student-centred practice matter so much if the sector wants to protect its social licence. They also take a wider look at Australia’s international education industry, from fax machines and the early 1990s boom years to today’s policy turbulence, visa refusals, public mistrust and the worrying rise of “mass migration” rhetoric. In this episode, we cover: Robert’s early years in Japan and what they taught him about trust, humility and cross-cultural relationshipsThe early days of Australian international education, from fax machines to rapid industry growthWhy the “dodgy agent” stereotype misses the reality of what most education agents doThe origins of SYMPLED and ISEA, and the push for industry-led agent accreditationWhy Australia needs to tell a stronger, more positive story about international educationThe danger of negative migration narratives, and why Australia still has the chance to be a beacon in the region There is a lot of history in this conversation, but it never feels like nostalgia. Instead, it feels like a reminder. A reminder that international education was built by people willing to travel, listen, adapt, advocate and build trust across cultures. A reminder that agents, providers, governments and industry bodies all have responsibilities. And a reminder that if Australia wants to remain globally connected, respected and open, we cannot be passive about the story being told on our behalf. We have to tell it ourselves. And, as Robert puts it, we need to be the beacon. Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Gelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets. For guest suggestions and feedback, email podcast@globalsociety.com.au Global Horizons is the official podcast of the Australian International Education Conference. Registrations are open now: AIEC conference!
