1. ESOS AWARENESS TRAINING PQR May 2014

2. Training Outline  Higher Education Regulatory Framework  What are TEQSA/ESOS/CRICOS/National Code/ELICOS Standards?  SCU’s Risk Rating  Things SCU staff need to know/do  Resources  Summary

3. Higher Education Regulatory Framework OTHER: Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Migration Act and Streamlined Visa Processing - DIBP ELICOS National Standards

4. Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) Act 2011  Established TEQSA (the agency)  Responsible for regulating Higher Education Providers  SCU is a Registered Higher Education Provider until March 2015 ( Re-Registration application by Sept 2014)  SCU Self-Accredits Higher Education Courses offered to students  SCU must comply with the Threshold Standards - consist of the Provider Standards and the Qualification Standards for all students - explicit reference to International StudentsThreshold Standards

5. Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 ESOS benefits two groups: 1.Overseas students coming to Australia on student visas Not applicable to overseas students on other kinds of visas, or off-shore students studying at Australian institutions based in other countries 2.Education institutions wanting to teach overseas students have clear roles and responsibilities & obligations for international students

6. National Code 2007  CRICOS registration  Work Integrated Learning (WIL)  15 standards that providers must meet – standards follow the Student Lifecycle: Student Engagement Commencing Study Studying to Completion Organisational Arrangements

7. Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)  SCU must have approval for each course offered to international students at each location and these courses must be listed on CRICOS  SCU is now a single National Registered CRICOS Provider 01241G  CRICOS Course codes are location specific.

8. English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Standards  ELICOS Standards apply to students studying in Australia on student visas ELICOS Standards  ‘Intensive’ denotes full-time study comprising a minimum of 20 scheduled course contact hours per week of face-to-face classes of English language instruction  SCU is required to meet the ELICOS Standards to remain registered on CRICOS – renewal due 2015

9. Why Me?  National Code - All Staff who interact with International Students must be aware of the ESOS Act and National Code requirements and must be suitably qualified or experienced in relation to the functions they perform for students  Under the Delegations Register of SCU Council, many academic and administrative staff have specific responsibilities. The discharge of these with International students requires awareness and knowledge of ESOS and the National CodeDelegations Register

10. SCU’s Risk Rating Two important Risk Ratings:  Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) Risk Rating International Students intending to study at SCU can access simpler visa processing through SVP Genuine Temporary Entrants (GTE) only SVP rating is monitored by DIBP - data  TEQSA Risk Rating Defined risk factors Increased risk rating means increased monitoring

11. Role of TEQSA’s Risk Assessment Framework To prioritise TEQSA’s regulatory focus More attention / evidence requirements where significant risks are identified Less attention /reduced regulatory burden on providers with a low risk assessment Protect students/sector if significant risks Engage early with providers - informal

12. Compliance SCU must have strong policy & procedures to ensure compliance Range of Penalties for non-compliance include: Fines - $10 000 per offence Sanctions CRICOS course removal CRICOS de-registration (cannot admit International Students) Higher Education Provider de-registration (cannot admit any students) CEO/VC can go to prison

13. Student Timeline Stage 1 Recruitment Standard 1 and Standard 4 - Agents Stage 2 Pre-Admission Standards 2 & 6 Stage 3 Arrival at SCU and Enrolment Standard 3 plus Credit(Advanced Standing) Standard Stage 4 Course Progression Standards 9, 10, 13 Standard 6 – Interventions and Critical Incidents Stage 5 Course Completion Stage 6 Post Graduation

14. Recruitment SCU must ensure that marketing of its education and training services is professional, accurate and maintains the integrity and reputation of the industry ensure that it manages its education agents appropriately not use agents that are dishonest or lack integrity When involved in promoting courses to International students be aware of “truth in advertising” ! Offering cut price fees contravenes ESOS

15. Pre-Admission SCU must Provide information to prospective students – eg, Refund Policy ensure that students’ qualifications, experience and English Language Proficiency are appropriate for admission Assess/process course credit (advanced standing) follow all University Rules, Policies and Procedures e.g. International admissions policy, record-keeping procedures (eg all correspondence must be kept on CRM)

16. Arrival at SCU and Enrolment SCU must: provide orientation sessions and help students access study support and welfare-related services Record current contact addresses and phone numbers Ensure full time load (8 Units per year)

17. Course Progression & Completion SCU must: monitor academic progression within duration Identify, notify and counsel students who are at risk ( Intervention) 25% limit on distance/online learning - students cannot enrol exclusively in distance or online learning units in a compulsory study period (eg Session 1 or 2) CoE extension in limited circumstances deferment or temporary suspension - leave of absence in compassionate and compelling circumstances only report students for breach of student visa conditions Students must complete within COE course duration

18. What do All SCU staff need to do? ALL STAFF MUST: Be aware of CRICOS course codes and locations Update CRICOS Provider code 01241G eg, email signatures – No WA/QLD/NSW Codes Use SCU logo on all official communications (special exams, advice on progress etc) with student Accurate Student addresses and mobile phone numbers data capture NO STUDENT ADDRESSES C/- ANYWHERE Provide cautious advice to international students e.g. “do less units if you are having difficulty” is NOT appropriate Follow SCU Rules, Policy and Procedures

19. Ensure International students only enrolled in courses with CRICOS codes at the specific location where they will be studying Check offer acceptance agreements and advanced standing agreements are signed by the student, dated, returned and filed in CRM Check CoE / VISA durations before making decisions/processing eg special exams, CIS applications, COE extension requests What do Professional SCU staff need to do?

20.  Check CoE durations before providing academic advice (eg extensions, special consideration, enrolment load, study plans etc)  Monitor progress/students at risk so that all students progress to ensure completion within CoE duration full-time enrolment 8 units per academic year. Be aware that reduced load can mean not completing their course within the expected duration.  Ensure that International students do not enrol in online units or distance education unless within accepted limits  Identify units/courses NOT available for International onshore students What do Academic SCU staff need to do?

21. International students enrolled in a research program (PhD, DBA, Masters by Research) must be enrolled full time and have at least one supervisor at the location where they are studying Monitor student progress to ensure that they complete their course (thesis) within the expected duration Follow prescribed Policy and Procedures for Higher Degrees Complete Supervisor/Candidate progress reports – place on File Students can remain onshore 6 months – Examination of Thesis. What do Research Supervisors need to do?

22. PQR Webpage TEQSA ESOS National Code ELICOS Standards CRICOS Resources

23. Summary SCU operates in a regulated environment All staff must be aware of the legislation & regulatory environment There are severe penalties for non-compliance SCU Rules Policy and Procedures must apply at all times Records must be kept If asked a question by an international student and you don’t know the answer, ask for help before giving advice