Advocacy Update
Second Regulatory Update webinar
Thank you to all members who attended and contributed to our recent regulatory update webinar. This second webinar was again very popular with nearly 200 registrations. We can see that members are clearly hungry for information and clarification. We hope that this session provided the answers that members were looking for.
Many members were especially eager to get clarity on the new English language levels required for student visa applicants and how the requirements were being implemented. We covered this and quite a bit more in the session and anyone who missed it can find the webinar on the website. Please remember, this was a member-only webinar so you need to log in to the website to be able to see the recording. Please get in touch if you have any difficulties.
There will be more to come in this space.
Exemptions from the English Level Increases
Last week, we shared with members the latest update on the English language proficiency requirements for a student visa. This focused on the release of the list of Pathway courses that, alongside Foundation Programs, will continue to require an IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) level to be eligible for a student visa. Read the full update here.
Member Voices Campaign
English Australia has continued to hear from members and see in the data reports, that the federal Minister of Home Affairs has continued a policy of severely restricting the flow of student visa grants, especially for those applying for student ELICOS Only or ELICOS packaged with VET. This has led English Australia to decide to launch the ‘Member Voices’ campaign.
We have raised our concerns with the department, spoken with the Minister’s office and written directly to the Minister and to the Prime Minister to express our dire concerns. We have also worked with the other sector peak bodies to write a letter to the Minister, signed by each of the eight sector peak bodies.
In recognition of the fact that the more voices our representatives in Canberra hear, the more likely they are to take notice, we updated our Guide to voicing member concerns with additional data and insights. We encourage members to use the guide and templates and to share them with their own stakeholders. View the email here.
As well as sending letters to the Minister of Home Affairs Clare O’Neil and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, I am communicating with other MPs and with DoE, DHA, and Treasury to voice member concerns. I have also reached out to many tourism bodies, business associations and chambers of commerce around the country to bring their attention to the coming impacts on them and their member organisations.
I note that the recent release of the report by the Property Council of Australia is particularly timely in this matter. This report has shown that “long-term structural issues in Australia’s housing market are the real cause for rental pressures” and that “international students are not to blame.” The press release from the Council and its report can be found here.
ICEF ANZA in New Zealand
As part of English Australia’s work to ensure agents understand the value of working with English Australia member colleges, I attended the annual agent-provider marketing conference ANZA run by our colleagues in ICEF. This year the conference was held in beautiful Christchurch New Zealand. English Australia had a booth and presented a well-received plenary panel alongside Robert Parsonson of ISEEA.
The conference provided an excellent opportunity to speak with agents and service providers about English Australia member colleges and ensure they understand the quality and assurance that they benefit from when choosing to send their ELICOS students to study with one of us. It was also great to connect with our colleagues in NZ like Kim Renner, CEO of English NZ.
Annual Conference: Registrations now open
Registrations are now open for our 2024 English Australia Conference, which is to be held in Perth from 11-13 September. Take advantage of our Early Bird discounts and register now. As the ‘must-attend event’ of the ELICOS sector, the English Australia Conference is your opportunity to connect with fellow educators, managers, industry leaders, and key sector stakeholders to build relationships and exchange ideas. The conference will feature thought-provoking presentations, workshops, and discussions led by esteemed professionals and experts in the field enabling you to immerse yourself in the latest trends, research, and innovations in English language teaching and learning. We are incredibly excited to bring our Conference back to Perth this year and we’re sure you’ll love the Perth experience, with our Gala Dinner being held at iconic Frasers Restaurant and a special Perth famil offered to Conference delegates.
English Australia Award nominations
The annual English Australia awards are a wonderful recognition of the amazing contributions made by member college staff. Remember to nominate colleagues who you feel are making significant contributions to the ELICOS sector and leading the way. The deadline for nominations is 11:59 pm (AEST) on Monday 17 June 2024.
English Australia and our award sponsors offer a suite of valued industry awards including awards for Academic Leadership, Innovation, Action Research, Middle Management (Christine Bundesen Award), ELICOS sector contribution (John Gallagher Award), and Contribution to Professional Practice. Winning an English Australia Award is a prestigious achievement, and winners gain considerable acknowledgement from their ELICOS sector peers and beyond.
PD Fests
April was another exciting month of Professional Development with English Australia when we hosted two more state PD Fests – PD West in Perth and VIC PD Fest in Melbourne. These mini conferences brought together passionate ELICOS educators to share best practices and learn from each other’s experiences, and the energy at both events was truly remarkable. Our gratitude goes to the host institutions Curtin English and Monash College for their invaluable support in making PD West and VIC PD Fest possible and to our sponsors IELTS, Pearson, ETS TOEFL and Bookery.
English Australia in the media
As concerns around visa rejections and potential rises in student visa fees persist, English Australia’s voice continues to garner attention in mainstream and sector-specific media outlets. Here is a selection of some of the key articles over the last month.
Study Travel: Australian stakeholders urge government not to increase student visa fees
Study Travel: Australia’s international education associations urge change of visa policy
The Koala News: English Australia launches “Members Voices” campaign
The Pie News: Visa hike expected in May as Australian sector share prices fall
English Australia members may also be interested in media coverage of this special research report by the Property Council of Australia, Myth busting international students’ role in the rental crisis
ABC Listen: International Students not to blame for rental crunch
ABC News: Are International students to blame for Australia’s housing crisis?
The Koala News: International students have been unfairly blamed for the rental crisis
The Pie News: International students “unfairly blamed” for Australian rental crisis
