Australia is tightening English language requirements for foreign students in what it said is a bid to improve standards across the country's international education market. <br/><br/>Currently, prospective overseas students can take an intensive English course to prepare for further studies if they do not already have other qualifications showing their ability to study in the language. <br/><br/>Education Minister Simon Birmingham said now they will also have to take a new official test of their language skills before they can start such university or vocational studies to ensure they have reached the required standard. <br/><br/>According to government data, there are more than 550,000 international students in Australia, which lists the lucrative sector as the country's third-largest export earner.