CEO Update: June 2018
The English Australia Board headed to Canberra last week for their May meeting. We met at Parliament House so that the Board could speak with key government departments and highlight some of the challenges and issues that our sector is facing.
Importantly, the Board stressed our sector’s recent negative commencement performance with various officials.
We will shortly distribute the member summary of the meeting but some of the key points are below.
Department of Education and Training
The Board were joined by Karen Sandercock, General Manager, International Group, Brett Galt-Smith, Director, Quality Frameworks Branch, and Nic Jonsson, International Mobility Branch.
Key items discussed were:
- Implementation of the National Code and ELICOS Standards 2018
- National Standards for Foundation Programs
- Agent Reports (further information is included in the newsletter)
- English Language Sector Strategy.
Austrade
Daniel Boyer, General Manager, Government and Partnership
Micky Trongchittham, Tourism and International Education Strategy, Government and Partnership DivisionAustrade updated us on their new initiatives such as the ‘Where to Compete profiles’, ‘Collaboration and Consortia toolkit’ and projects underway for the digital engagements, strategic messaging and Market Action plans.Austrade updated us on their new initiatives such as the ‘Where to Compete profiles’, ‘Collaboration and Consortia toolkit’ and projects underway for the digital engagements, strategic messaging and Market Action plans.
- Austrade updated us on their new initiatives such as the ‘Where to Compete profiles’, ‘Collaboration and Consortia toolkit’ and projects underway for the digital engagements, strategic messaging and Market Action plans.
- Congratulations to Rebecca Hall, who has just been appointed as the Senior Industry Specialist for International Education with Austrade commencing 15 July, 2018. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful support that Rebecca has given English Australia in her current role at Trade and Investment Queensland. I look forward to working closely with Rebecca in her new positon at Austrade.
Department of Home Affairs
Michael Willard, Assistant Secretary, Global Mobility Branch, Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Policy Division, Policy Group, Department of Home Affairs.
- We discussed at length the current processing of ELICOS visa applications, declining grant rate trends and specific market issues.
- An update on the review of SSVF noting key recommendations for onshore visa applications as part of the risk framework. We also noted that a working group would be established to consider the allocation of trailing risk where a transfer occurs onshore.
- We raised The English Australia survey as mechanism to provide on-going feedback to DHA on sector trends.
Our strong working relationship with each of these government departments helps us to effectively advocate for our members and lead many strategic projects. While I am frequently in Canberra meeting with these stakeholders, the May Board meeting is a significant event in the annual calendar.
Download the guide here
With few support networks, language barriers and pressure from home, international students face many challenges. Creating an environment where these students feel supported...
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The Department of Home Affairs will be running a teleconference series in June 2018 (see table below for dates) on the topic of English and financial requirements. Each session will include time for questions and answers and DoHA request education providers to only register...
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This page includes the Department of Education and Training's (DET) monthly research snapshots. These reports focus on a specific area of international education and present data that supplements our monthly market updates.
Location of...
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As well as visa information, you can also see “raw” per student enrolment data. The Department of Education and Training (DET) has added this function as part of the Education Agents Data Project.
How do I get access to the reports?
Only users with CoE Administrator permissions in PRISMS can access...
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From 31 May 2018, student visa applicants who apply in countries included in the offshore biometric program will be required to provide biometric identifiers.
What countries need to provide biometric identifiers?
A detailed list of the locations that require collection of fingerprints and facial images is available on
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I am excited to let you know that English Australia will soon launch the Register of English Language Teachers Australia (RELTA). The RELTA is a new strategic initiative designed to support our teaching community to manage and record their professional development online,...
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A private Japanese university is seeking expressions of interest from Australian education institutions for a four-week ELICOS program, including a customised school visit program, for undergraduate trainee elementary school teachers.
Proposed programs should focus on helping the trainee teachers gain communicative English skills and an international perspective by visiting Australian...
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We chat with Griffith English Language Institute's, John Smith, about Queensland's PD Fest, what's involved in successfully running it and English for golf.
With over 300 delegates and...
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Over the past month, I’ve consulted on behalf of Austrade with many members to develop Market Action Plans for Indonesia and Vietnam. Everyone involved has contributed critical insights into these markets. With English Australia and International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) leading...
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I’m warmly greeted with an infectious laugh and reassuring tones when I first speak with Gizelle F. Rezende , English Australia’s new board member. Talking with a complete stranger often intimidates people, but Gizelle chats confidently. This confidence has allowed her to live...
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The Department of Home Affairs will be running a series of teleconferences throughout 2018 on specific topics relating to student visas. These sessions will offer an opportunity for all education providers who recruit international students to engage with the Department.
The first...
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Ever the optimist, I’m excited about the year ahead and hope that the positive outcomes of the past year continue into 2018. We’ve started this year busily working on several significant projects aimed at supporting member colleges and driving the sector. Watch this...
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Hossein is English Australia’s newest board member and Academic Director at Australian National University (ANU) College. Holding a Bachelor degree in translation and interpretation and driven by his interest in and passion for teaching, Hossein pursued a Masters in TESOL which led to...
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AEI has released the data for commencements of student visa holders at YTD July 2014.
YTD July 2014 figures continue to show all sectors experiencing growth in the number of commencements, with a resulting overall growth across all sectors of +19%.
The Higher Education and Non-Award (foundation studies & study...
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AEI has released the data for commencements of student visa holders at YTD May 2014.
The strong growth trend for ELICOS that was experienced in 2013 continues to accelerate in the first five months of 2014 with YTD figures showing growth of +26%, producing a total of 45,851 commencements. This...
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AEI has released the data for commencements of student visa holders at YTD March 2014.
The strong growth trend for ELICOS that was experienced in 2013 has accelerated in the first three months of 2014 with YTD figures showing growth of +30%, producing a total of 30,253 commencements. This growth...
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- An opinion piece from English Australia's Executive Director, Sue Blundell, following the release of the report on the English language sector's performance in 2013.
In the recent past, the international education industry has looked to the English language sector with trepidation to see whether the barometer is rising or...
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AEI has released the data for commencements of student visa holders in January 2014. Whilst the picture is incomplete for other sectors until February and March data is released and the data should be interpreted with caution, monthly data for ELICOS can be analysed on its own merits.
The strong...
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The simplified Student Visa AL Framework and extended streamlined student visa processing (SVP) arrangements will come into effect from 22 March 2014 now that all regulatory approvals have been obtained.
From 22 March 2014:
- AL4 and AL5 will be removed from the AL Framework which will be simplified to contain...
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The latest data for student visa applications and grants (YTD December 2013) shows positive news for all sectors.
The number of offshore visa applications (new demand) has been increasing slowly since July 2011, with the renewal of demand accelerating in the last half of the 2012/2013 program year. The significant...
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AEI has now released the final end of year data for 2013 featuring a positive year of growth for the English language sector in Australia.
Overall growth in international student commencements across all sectors continued to strengthen throughout the year, finishing with growth of +9.3%. The VET decline has slowed...
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English Australia was delighted to hear that Christine Bundesen AM, former Chair and Board member of English Australia, has been officially invited and has accepted to serve on the very recently established International Education and Training Advisory Council (IETAC) to be chaired by the Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for...
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DIBP has finally released the quarterly report for student visa applications and grants for the 1st quarter of the 2013/2014 program year (July to September 2013).
The number of offshore visa applications (new demand) has been increasing slowly since July 2011, with the renewal of demand accelerating in the last...
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AEI has now released another two months’ batch of new data, taking the latest international student data up to YTD October 2013.
The surge of growth seen in ELICOS commencements over the July/August period has continued in September/October.
Overall growth in international student commencements continues to strengthen from +3.4%...
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The seven education peak bodies have come together again to make a joint submission to the government's Commission of Audit.
The Commission has been established by the Australian Government as an independent body to review and report on the performance, functions and roles of the Commonwealth government. The Commission has a...
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For the second year running, English Australia joined with Austrade and ACPET to collectively promote Australia as a leading destination for international students at ICEF Berlin in November this year.
ICEF Berlin is the largest international education workshop bringing together educational providers and agents (more than 2,100 participants), and it...
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English Australia is delighted to see the new government taking some immediate action to support international education.
Yesterday, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison, and the Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne, announced a package of measures that would simplify the Student Visa Assessment Level Framework (ALF) and...
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After a long 'data break' whilst the government was in caretaker mode for the election, AEI has now released two months’ worth of new data, taking the latest international student data up to YTD August 2013.
There have been some significant changes over this 2 month period.
Overall growth in...
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Delegates at the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) in Canberra last week were delighted by the positive messages in Minister Pyne’s first major speech on international education, delivered at the opening plenary session.
It seems he has certainly heard the messages that were conveyed strongly in the
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English Australia member college, ICTE-UQ, was announced as the winner of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association Award for Business Development – Queensland at an awards ceremony held on 20 September 2013.
The award was won against open competition, with the other finalists being Sirromet wines and Thomson Adsett specialising...
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Highlighting the professionalism of English language teaching to international students
This week English Australia hosts its annual national conference for the English language sector of international education, demonstrating why the industry in Australia is a global leader in the approach it takes to driving professional sharing and growth.
The 26th...
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The English language sector peak body and professional association English Australia is delighted to announce that its Action Research in ELICOS Program has won a prestigious Award for Best Practice/Innovation in International Education under the IEAA Excellence Awards Program for 2013.
The Action Research in ELICOS Program was developed by...
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English Australia, the association representing the leading English language colleges in Australia, and the Italian Association of Language Consultants and Agents, IALCA, are pleased to announce that they have concluded an important collaboration agreement.
Growth of 60% over the...
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DIAC has released their end of program year report on Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visas for the 2012/2013 Program Year. On the surface, the data seems to demonstrate that it was a good year for growth, with a record number of visas being granted, however there are some...
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DIAC has released the final quarterly report for student visa applications and grants for the 2012/2013 program year as well as their report on program trends since 2006/2007.
The number of offshore visa applications (new demand) has been increasing slowly since July 2011, with the renewal of demand...
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AEI has released the latest international student data for YTD June 2013.
At YTD June 2013 all sectors except VET show growth in the number of commencements, with a resulting overall growth across all sectors of +3.4% – the first growth in commencements over this period since 2009.
This compares...
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English Australia is delighted to again be shortlisted for the STM Star School Association Award in 2013. An award voted for by agents, it sends a great message about how the work we do in supporting and engaging with agents is valued by them. Thank you to all the agents...
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The full program for the English Australia Conference is now available on the conference website, www.eaconference.com.au. There's something for everyone working in or with ELICOS at this must-attend event so bring your curiosity, your enthusiasm and your willingness to engage to make the most of this terrific opportunity...
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AEI has released the latest international student data for YTD May 2013.
At YTD May 2013 all sectors except VET show growth in the number of commencements, with a resulting overall growth across all sectors of +3.5% – the first growth in commencements over this period since 2009....
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AEI has released the latest international student data for YTD April 2013.
At YTD April 2013 all sectors except VET show growth in the number of commencements, with a resulting overall growth across all sectors of +2.9% – the first growth in commencements over this period since 2009.
The...
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English Australia will be releasing the full English Australia ELICOS Industry Statistics Report for 2012 in June, outlining the latest market trends and developments for the ELICOS sector (including all visa types).
In the interim the English Australia ELICOS Industry Statistics 2012 Fact Sheet has been updated to...
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BROWNS English Language Schools, winner of the state’s highest recognition of export achievement The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards (Education and Training) and winner of the prestigious 2012 Australian Export Awards (Education and Training), was pleased to host the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, The Hon Kelvin Thomson, MP last...
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Young people from Australia and Uruguay now have the opportunity to visit and work in each other’s countries through a work and holiday visa arrangement.
The new work and holiday arrangement aims to strengthen people-to-people relations and build on economic ties and links between the two countries.
This arrangement will...
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AEI has released the PRISMS statistics for YTD February 2013. The data shows that the ELICOS sector has now seen six consecutive months of growth – with this growth experienced across a diverse range of markets.
[The February data for higher education should be interpreted with caution. In 2012, 36...
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English Australia is delighted to see the launch today of a new $4 million global youth campaign by Tourism Australia.
The campaign aims to demonstrate to young people of the world why ‘There’s nothing like Australia’ and create a level of engagement and interest that will increase the number of...
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Minister Bowen has released the report of the International Education Advisory Council, chaired by Michael Chaney, entitled Australia – Educating Globally.
Click here to view the report.
Click here to view the English Australia media release – Action needed on international education.
Click here (if a member...
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English Australia is ramping up its efforts to actively engage with education and language travel agents worldwide who focus on recruiting students for quality English language programs.
“With a newbrand and a new website with a dedicated section providing resources for agents, we want to make sure that agents know...
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Following the landmark national symposium in 2007, IEAA and Australian Education International (AEI) are presenting a follow-up event Five Years On: English Language Competence of International Students.
The 2013 Symposium will draw on current research evidence – including three newly-commissioned papers – and consider the implications of recent developments, including:...
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English Australia was delighted by the response to the call for Expressions of Interest in this year's Action Research in ELICOS Program, supported by Cambridge English Language Assessment. Interest in this unique opportunity for high level professional development with international expert in action research, Anne Burns, is increasing every...
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