The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 is a key component of Australia’s international education framework, setting out the responsibilities of education providers delivering courses to international students. As of February 2024, here are the key elements:
- Student Protection:
- Ensures that education providers meet high standards for the quality and delivery of education services.
- Establishes the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) to safeguard student fees if a provider is unable to deliver a course.
- Provider Obligations:
- Providers must register on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and comply with the National Code of Practice.
- Maintain accurate records of international students and provide updates to the government on student status through the Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS).
- National Code of Practice:
- Sets standards for marketing, student engagement, support services, education agents, and visa compliance.
- Outlines obligations for monitoring students’ course progress and attendance to ensure visa conditions are met.
- International Student Rights:
- Students are entitled to clear and accurate pre-enrollment information about courses and fees.
- Access to dispute resolution processes and support services while studying.
- Compliance and Enforcement:
- Includes provisions for audits, penalties, and sanctions to ensure providers adhere to legislative requirements.
- Recent Developments:
- The framework has been updated to align with domestic quality assurance measures, enhancing efficiency and reducing administrative burden.
For more details, you can explore the Department of Education’s ESOS framework resources.