Regulatory update: ESOS National Code Compliance
After two and a half years of regulatory flexibility, ASQA and TEQSA have set a date (30 June 2023) for the return to compliance with ESOS National Code requirements. As noted in our update last week, English Australia has been working closely with the Department of Education (DoE), ASQA, and TEQSA on these matters. I’ve been engaging with the senior executive of each of the organisations to ensure the interests of our members are represented.
I know members have lots of questions regarding this process with high levels of interest already noted for the webinar that we are holding with DoE, ASQA, and TEQSA on 1 December 2022.
We will shortly be sending out further communications and seeking your input, questions, and views on what potential changes you would like to see to the legislative instruments to support the sector moving forward. The Future of ELICOS insights are really useful but it is critical that we get the balance right that allows for the innovations in course delivery embedded in the regulatory framework, alongside ensuring that all providers of the ELICOS courses are accountable to deliver programs that support the quality that our sector is renowned for.
I will continue to keep you updated and your engagement in this process is greatly valued.
The registration details can be accessed here.
New Board 2022-2023
I would like to personally welcome all new members of the 2022-2023 Board. These include re-elected General Delegate members Ian Aird, Aparna Jacob, Stephen Knussen, and Sally Waite. Welcome also to our re-elected State / Territory Delegates Lucas Chiusoli and Nick Phillippou, and John Paxton who is returning to the Board as the WA State / Territory Delegate.
As noted in the Newsletter, the Board confirmed the Executive Committee at the Special Board meeting held post the AGM with Kerry Sutcliffe appointed as the Chair of the Board, and Donna Cook and Ian Aird appointed as the Deputy Chairs.
I look forward to working with the members of the new Board over the coming year to deliver the best possible outcomes for our members.
AIEC – English Australia panel and DoE updates
It was great to attend the AIEC in person this year and present a panel discussion alongside our Board members Kerry Sutcliffe, Donna Cook, and Joanna Kelly. The session titled: Innovation and the future of ELICOS research: supporting growth and access, covered the journey of English Australia’s activities over the past couple of years and the impact that initiatives such as the Innovation Funds have had on the sector from a provider’s perspective. Pertinent questions related to the Future of ELICOS and specifically ‘how providers can demonstrate that the outcomes of online delivery have been equivalent to face-to-face delivery’ were raised, providing valuable points to consider as we navigate the return to the compliance process.
The Department of Education and regulators also delivered a session on the ESOS review outcomes at AIEC. They noted that online teaching will be a major topic of focus, and indeed the Minister for Education, The Hon Jason Clare referenced online and offshore course delivery to support diversification in his recorded presentation at the conference.
DoE did not provide any specific insights but flagged questions related to What is the appropriate level of online teaching (all courses)? How can we ensure we are delivering high-quality online programs? How do we move courses toward more significant volumes of online teaching and still ensure the academic quality and student experience?
They also noted the other areas that will be focused on from the ESOS review in tranche 1 are:
* Agents
* Under 18 - ELICOS delivery
* Written agreements
* TNE – ESOS coverage
* The role of the TPS
* Written agreements
Please note, there was no specific detail provided on these items nor timelines for action. However, it is worth noting the items that have been flagged for consideration, including Under-18 ELICOS delivery. I will provide further updates as soon as feasible.
New CPD Portal
If you haven’t already done so, please take the time to look at the courses available on our new CPD Portal, including our third free course in Online ELICOS Teaching, 'Approaches to Resource Design in Online English Language Teaching.' We’ve already had a great response to the release of the new CPD Portal and courses. Please contact Sophie O’Keefe, Head of Professional Development if you would like to discuss options to embed the CPD Framework into your college’s PD program.
Just a reminder - our 2022 Conference slides and recordings are now available on our website for all members.
Innovation Development Fund 2021-22
The Final Report and Reconciliation reporting module was sent out on Monday, 24 October 2022, and is now live for grantees to access. Reports from grantees are due by 30 November 2022 with the final report from English Australia to the Department of Education due by 31 December 2022.
Visa update
As noted in our last monthly report, Independent ELICOS Visa lodgement and grants have been reaching record levels. I’ve been receiving feedback from members that visa processing times have improved, which is a result of the additional staff the DHA has appointed over the past few months. Whilst this is welcomed and incredibly positive after the past two years, we continue to monitor trends to ensure markets are not being negatively impacted by volume growth and poor assessments. We have witnessed a significant decline in the grant rate from offshore lodgements for Thailand, which dropped from 77% in January to 49% in July. We have raised this with DHA as an item of concern.
I attended an Ad Hoc meeting of the Education Visa Consultative Committee (EVCC) last week and provided an update on the sector’s performance, outlook, and concerns. I raised the issue of IMMI refusal decisions becoming too brief to be of any value. DHA agreed to look into this item but also noted that they were applying the 300 words in total (a 2000-character limit) for GTE Statements, as I’ve previously advised. The next EVCC meeting will be held on Friday 10 November. I welcome your input on items to be raised at this meeting.
The Department of Home Affairs distributed a provider update earlier this month. You can access the update here.
ICEF Berlin
I am heading to ICEF in Berlin, which will run from 30 October to 1 November to promote our member colleges. This event is expected to attract over 1,300 agents and over 1,200 providers from more than 120 countries. As always, it is bound to be a whirlwind of activity with the opportunity to engage with so many valued agents and partners from around the world.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to further discuss any issues affecting the ELICOS sector or your institution specifically.