Nearly all foreign student workers underpaid in Australia: survey

The exploitation of international student workers in Australia has been labelled as "staggering", following the release of a survey on Thursday into the matter.

The survey conducted by the University of Sydney Business School found at least 60 percent of international students in Sydney were being paid bellowed the minimum wage.

Dr Stephen Clibborn from the University of Sydney Business School who conducted the survey said the Australian government needed to do more to crack down on the issue.

"The Federal Government needs to step in with additional resources if we are going to have any chance of ending this abuse, " Clibborn said.

"Many have basic or poor English language skills and they don't know their rights or how to enforce them...they are also away from home for the first time and are cut off from their natural support networks."

Clibborn added the situation is further aggravated by the fact that there is an oversupply of student workers in some areas and this leaves many feeling that they can be easily replaced if they complain.

Education ranks as Australia's second largest export industry with approximately 400,000 international students enrolled in educational institutions.