It has been a positive start to the year with the reopening of our international borders across the East Coast, and WA preparing to open this week. Thank you to the many members who have provided us with updates on their circumstances.
Whilst it is too early to say that we have overcome the worst of it, the tides are certainly turning, with applications (particularly for Independent ELICOS student visas) on the rise.
During this busy time in the industry, English Australia has been working on a raft of exciting new projects, such as the Future of ELICOS consultations, the suite of Innovation funds, and the market surveys providing the latest intel on the sector’s performance. We continue to work closely with the government and our regulators, under the guidance of our board, to ensure that we can achieve the best outcomes for everyone.
Strategic Projects
We released the Future of ELICOS interim report last month, which highlights the findings from our research and consultations undertaken last year. The follow-up survey closes tomorrow, please complete it now if you’ve not had a chance to do so already. I’m looking forward to discussing the report findings and survey results with members at the upcoming Branch meeting. We will be holding a forum on this topic with the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE), ASQA, and TEQSA at the end of next month.
Innovation Fund 2021 and Innovation Development Fund 2021-22
The Innovation Fund 2021 is nearing completion of Report 3 and the mid-program acquittal. English Australia is impressed with the work being undertaken by grantees in changing their businesses models to grow online and offshore delivery. Funds are broadly being used to: develop digital infrastructure to enable online and offshore course delivery, e.g. Learning Management Systems; transform and digitise content (including video production), develop new programs, upgrade teaching infrastructure to support delivery in these new modes, and production of targeted marketing campaigns offshore.
Preliminary assessments have been undertaken and final compliance checks are being completed by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment for the Innovation Development Fund 2021-22. English Australia is working with DESE to ensure the outcomes are communicated as soon as possible.
Research and Analysis
Quarterly ELICOS Market Insight webinar tomorrow (register here). We will present the results for the final quarter and the latest DESE and DHA student visa data.
The Annual ELICOS market survey is now open, and I would like to encourage all our members to complete the survey. The report will provide a detailed analysis of market performance across all visa types including on and offshore delivery, by provider type. The results will be presented at the mid-year member forums with this survey continuing to be the only source of comprehensive data and analysis for the sector.
Industry Advocacy and Government Liaison
English Australia is seeking members’ input into the current ESOS review consultation process that is underway. We must capitalise on the opportunity to seek positive policy and regulatory changes to support an agile ELICOS sector underpinned by quality outcomes. It’s equally important that we ensure any legislative amendments do not impose unnecessary burdens related to English language course delivery, or impact on the global competitiveness of the sector. I welcome all input from now until 8 April 2022 via our submission form and look forward to gathering member views at the upcoming Branch meetings.
I am aware of a spike in visa rejections from a range of countries. I’ve been actively liaising with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on these matters. I will be attending the Education Visa Consultative Committee (EVCC) in mid-March and will continue to advocate for the appropriate application of the Genuine Temporary Entrant assessment. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are experiencing any ongoing issues.
Austrade has provided English Australia with a virtual booth as part of the Study Australia Expo 2020 Virtual Pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020. The expo is running until 31 March 2022. We have several opportunities to be present (live/ virtually) at the booth over this period as an opportunity to promote member colleges. We are also participating in a Dubai Expo panel session focused on VET and ELICOS that is being undertaken by Study NSW.
Regulator Liaison
ASQA continues to demonstrate a genuine commitment to consultation and seeks regular input via the scheduled Provider Roundtable Forums and extraordinary meetings. I participated in ASQA’s 1st Provider Roundtable meeting for the year this past month. ASQA provided an overview of priorities and planned engagement. Key components of
ASQA’s forward work plan will focus on engagement with providers around self-assurance, evaluation, customer experience, and VET Delivered to Secondary School Students (VETDSSS). Considerable work is being undertaken on the cost-recovery model that is scheduled for implementation on 1 January 2023.
I recently met with the CEO of TEQSA and will be meeting with the Chief Commissioner and other senior TEQSA representatives in the coming weeks to discuss strategic priorities for the year. ASQA and TEQSA have positively noted the work that we’ve done under the Future of ELICOS consultations and are supportive of the Guide to Good Practice in Online ELICOS Delivery that is being developed at present.
Professional Development
As noted above, work is well underway on our Guide to Good Practice in Online ELICOS Delivery. Our member committee, copywriter, and PD manager have been busily drafting the guide, which we intend to release at the end of next month.
English Australia Board
The English Australia Board met for their first meeting last week with a full agenda covering the strategic priorities of the association. The Board were joined by the Assistant Secretary, International Policy, DESE. Discussions covered items such as the current state of the sector, the Innovation Fund and Innovation Development Fund, the ESOS review, and the upcoming Australia-Taiwan English Language Learning Dialogue, which I will be presenting at. A member summary will be available shortly.
English Australia Secretariat News
I am delighted to introduce our new Communications Coordinator Kerry Corben who joined the team this month. Kerry brings a wealth of Marketing and Communications experience to the role, and we are excited to have her leading our communications.
Any questions? Please ask or catch up at the Branch meetings
I would like to again say that I am always available should you wish to raise any issues with me.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming Branch meetings nationally.
