The sudden closure of International House Sydney and its campuses in Sydney City, Sydney Bondi, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Darwin, Adelaide and Byron Bay is a deeply concerning situation. English Australia is fully aware of the significant impact this is having on affected students and their families, as well as on International House staff, agents, and other stakeholders.
We have been in communications with IH Sydney executive team and then the appointed administrator as well as with the TPS and ESOS regulators to address issues and concerns, and to identify solutions and provide support for those impacted. We note that as a result of this input, new communications have now been issued, publicly correcting initial communications with students and agents by the administrator and other parties.
International House Sydney ceased operating on Monday 9 December 2024 and the administrator has 14 days to meet their obligations to student visa holders under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), including those under section 46D. To meet their obligations by the 23rd of this month the following must happen:
- the administrator arranges for the student to be offered a place in an alternative course at the provider’s expense; and
- the student visa holder accepts the offer in writing; or
- the administrator pays the student a refund of any unspent tuition fees received by the provider.
After that 14-day period, where an affected student visa holder has not been offered an alternative course which they have accepted in writing or received a refund of any unspent tuition fees received on their behalf from the provider, the TPS will assess the situation, engage with students, and assess any claims by these students for refunds and make its decisions as to whether or not to activate a claim on the TPS account to cover any payment of unspent tuition fees received by the provider.
English Australia urges anyone impacted to review the information and guides made available by the TPS: https://www.education.gov.au/tps/closures/ih-sydney-training-services-pty-ltd.This includes material in languages other than English.
English Australia urges affected students and families to direct enquiries about alternative course offers or refunds to the appointed administrator, PKF Melbourne, during this period.
We similarly urge providers who wish to offer alternative courses to affected students to direct enquiries to the appointed administrator, PKF Melbourne, during this period. They can be contacted via IHSTS.mel@pkf.com.au.
English Australia is also working with the administrators to gather details on non-student visa holders. As International House Sydney was an English Australia member until it ceased operation, English Australia will make every effort to find suitable alternative courses for affected students at other English Australia colleges.
Finally, we note that there has been a range of communications from colleges to agents, students, and the broader market regarding alternative courses for affected students. Some of these communications have caused confusion and concern. English Australia members are urged to attend the webinar on Thursday 12th of December at 11am to 12pm AEDT, which will include a presentation by the TPS and cover details of provider obligations, student obligations, and student rights.
In this context, English Australia urges all providers to ensure they fully understand their obligations under the ESOS Act, the ESOS Regulations, and the National Code with respect to communications with students and agents and to enrolling students.
Sincerely,
Ian Aird
CEO, English Australia
