Regulatory webinar: ESOS National Code Return to Compliance
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions and comments ahead of the return to compliance webinar that we are hosting with the Department of Education, ASQA, and TEQSA tomorrow (Thursday 1 December). Your input has helped to shape the format and key questions that English Australia will raise with the panellists to gain insights into the road ahead to 30 June 2023. There is still time to register and join the session.
The Department of Home Affairs Portfolio Industry Summit
I attended the Department of Home Affairs Portfolio Industry Summit with the theme of National Resilience in Sydney on 16 November, which included engaging addresses from Minister O’Neil, and Minister Giles who both noted their commitment to the student visa program. The Summit brought together industry leaders, senior government executives, members of the diplomatic corps, academia, and the community. I spoke with a number of Department of Home Affairs representatives on the importance of ensuring efficient and equitable visa processing to support our sector through this period of recovery.
Visa update
Following up on Department of Home Affairs matters, it is good to see the recent data reflecting a positive pipeline for the sector. Independent ELICOS sector grants are almost fifty-four times higher in YTD August vs 2022. It is also pleasing to see the majority of key source countries achieving grant rates in the high 90% range, except for Thailand with a grant rate of only 69.8%. Please contact me if you have any cases that you believe require review by the Department.
ICEF Berlin
I represented English Australia members at the ICEF Berlin workshop from 30 October – 1 November 2022. As the major global education workshop, this event provided great value to promote our members. ICEF reported that 1,097 agents from 104 countries participated in the workshop (873 in person, 224 virtually, for 912 organisations). My meetings with many agents from around the world confirmed that Australia was seen as a popular destination, and the ICEF event report noted that the highest level of interest amongst the agents was for Language courses rated at 92%.
SIG Convenor Nominations
English Australia is calling for nominations for Convenors and Deputy Convenors of its Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Please submit your nomination using this form. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the sector with current and past convenors commenting that their time and commitment to these roles pay off multiple times.
Innovation Development Fund 2021-22
The Final Report and Reconciliation from grantees closes today. The secretariat will assess submissions and the final report from English Australia to the Department of Education is due for submission by 31 December 2022. Thank you to all the grantees for your collaboration with English Australia throughout our administration of the program.
November Board Meeting
The Board held its final formal meeting of the year on 17-18 November 2022. The Board had a full agenda with several specific governance items related to the work of the committees, and reviews of the strategic initiatives for the year ahead, including English Australia’s 40th Anniversary activities. The Board was joined by Dr. David Atkins, Assistant Secretary, International Division, Department of Education, which informed discussions on English Australia’s advocacy on Return to Compliance matters. The Board also endorsed a new English Australia member college.
Welcome: Browns English Language School
Browns English Language School is a well-known and highly regarded English language school with campuses based on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. On behalf of the Board, I would like to warmly welcome Browns English Language School and their team to English Australia.
English Australia 2023 Annual Conference: Save the date
In 2023 English Australia will be celebrating our 40th anniversary, and we are excited to announce that the conference will be our first face-to-face event in three years. The conference, with the theme of 'Celebrating 40 years of quality and innovation in ELICOS' will run from 30 August - 1 September 2023 at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney. Please save the date in your calendar now.
Change of Auditor
Please also be advised that Haywards Accountants have resigned as firm auditors of English Australia Limited. Kelly+Partners (Sydney) Audit Partnership will be the new incoming auditor of English Australia Limited. The auditor has changed because Haywards Accountants was acquired by Kelly+Partners.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss anything.