Australian Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard opened a two-day round table meeting in Canberra on Monday to discuss major issues of concern for international students.

The overseas student industry, worth 15.5 billion Australian dollar (13.2 billion U.S. dollar), has been under scrutiny following an outcry earlier this year over violence against Indian students.

Gillard said the government is taking action to ensure the well-being and safety of all international students.

"When you're talking about these grossly objectionable, violent incidents, you're talking about a number of less than 10 and we are talking about around 100,000 Indian students in the country," she told reporters.

"But I can understand why, having seen even one incident -- mums and dads having sent their sons and daughters far from home to study would be concerned."

Gillard told the 31 assembled students, representing every continent on the globe, their voice was deeply important.

"Your willingness to participate and communicate your ideas will make a real difference," Gillard said.

Their views will feed straight into Council of Australian Governments (COAG) deliberations on how to boost the international student experience and a parliamentary review is currently underway, she said.

(www.eduwo.com, Jainlyn&Charlotte)