As highlighted in our newsletter, a welcome package of action has been announced today. I recognise the quantum of support is much less than what our sector needs, but equally the package comes from considerable effort over the past few months. It certainly doesn’t mean that our advocacy work will cease rather that we will only work harder to ensure our members and the sector receive further support.
We continue to work on plans to bring our students back and providing services that support our members during these challenging times from professional development to member input on the future direction of ELICOS.
Representing member interests – return of ELICOS students to Australia
This past month, I have represented member interests at meetings with State/ Territory Government focused on the return of international student plans.
Members may have seen the news out of Victoria regarding the Premier’s letter to the Prime Minister seeking support for the return of international students as part of an ‘economic cohort’. The plan is to have 120 arrivals per week under these arrangement with a share of that number for international students and foreign workers. English Australia is working closely with Global Victoria regarding the plan to ensure ELICOS students are included in the staged plan for student returns.
Considerable effort is being made across other states and territories as well. The logistics of the planning process indicate that it will still be several months before we see arriving students. All state and territory plans are continuing on the basis of an industry-led approach, which requires industry funding for the quarantine arrangements. We continue to advocate for the use of GoPassport as a solution to support student arrivals via a managed and scalable travel solution.
Participating in these groups gives English Australia members a voice in the areas that matter most. Through these groups, English Australia not only advocates on behalf of its members but also hears the latest information on how state and federal governments are responding to COVID-19, and how this affects members.
The Future of ELICOS survey
We have had a fantastic response to the survey thus far and will be keen to share the key findings as part of our online interactive member forums with DESE, ASQA and TEQSA between May and June. The survey is open until Friday, 7th May and we are keen to hear from as many people as possible. You can complete the survey here.
Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030 consultation
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) is currently consulting on Australia’s new international education strategy. English Australia is preparing a submission and would like to hear from members on what should be included.
As part of the consultation, the Council for International Education and DESE created a consultation paper and eight discussion questions for the sector to consider. We would welcome any responses to these questions to ensure our views are best aligned with our members and to present a cohesive response to the consultation. The questions and consultation paper can be accessed here and members are more than welcome to email me their responses.
Empowering members with data
We have finished collecting data for our Annual ELICOS Market Survey and are well underway in analysing the full impact of Covid-19 on the ELICOS sector. Thank you again to everyone who participated in in this year’s collection process. 2020’s report will be another invaluable tool, highlighting the precarious situation that our sector faces as the Covid crisis continues.
The 2020 Quarterly ELICOS Market Insight surveys were critical tools for supporting participating colleges to benchmark their cohorts. The survey results provided vital data to support our advocacy efforts on your behalf. We are actively seeking support to conduct this survey again and will advise you as soon as possible.
As well as our Annual and Quarterly ELICOS Market Report reports, we are putting the finishing touches commissioning a report that reveals the ‘Economic Impact of Covid-19 on the ELICOS sector’. This report aims to not only looks at the direct economic impact of Covid on the sector but the indirect impact on Australia’s economy. We intend the report to analyses the flow-on effects that the international education sector will experience because of the ELICOS sector’s downturn. Because many ELICOS students go on to further studies in higher education and VET, these sectors will be significantly affected by the enormous losses that the ELICOS sector has experienced. We are working with state and territory governments to develop these reports and look forward to presenting them to members as soon as possible.
Supporting providers with professional development
During these challenging times, we continue to support members with professional development across a gamut of topics. Throughout April we have run professional development sessions on everything from blended learning course design to virtual mental health coffee catch-ups. Many of these sessions can be viewed online and you can view our upcoming sessions here.
English Australia members are facing the greatest crisis that our industry has ever experienced. Together, we can meet this crisis and English Australia will do everything that it can to secure our members’ future.
If there is anything that you would like to discuss with me, please email me and I will respond to you as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
