IQB is AEI’s quality assurance branch. Amongst its priorities are the Transnational Quality Strategy for students studying offshore, and the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 which protects international student visa holders in Australia.
ESOS Policy and Government Liaison
The section provides policy support and development for the administration of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and its National Code.
The section:
- communicates with providers and stakeholders on ESOS and National Code issues
- liaises with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on whole-of-government approaches to the regulation of the ESOS Act and the student visa program.
ESOS Provider Support and Compliance
The section has major carriage of compliance and enforcement activity under the ESOS Act and National Code.
Specifically, the section:
- initiates appropriate enforcement action (cancellation, suspension, conditions on provider registration) in the case of breaches of the ESOS Act
- works collaboratively with state and territory education authorities and DIAC in monitoring and enforcing CRICOS compliance under the ESOS Act.
ESOS Consumer Protection and Registration
This section is concerned with the consumer protection provisions of the ESOS Act, and provider registrations on CRICOS.
Core functions of the section are:
- manages the Provider Registration and International Students Management System (PRISMS), including the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)
- collects annual registration charges from providers
- administering the Tuition Assurance Scheme provisions under the ESOS Act
- managing the Assurance Fund, including providing the Secretariat for the Contributions Review Panel and servicing the contract with the Fund Manager
- managing student complaints concerning refunds
- managing provider registrations and cancellations.
Offshore Quality Taskforce
This section is managing the development and implementation of a Transnational Quality Strategy
, which deals with Australian education and training delivered offshore. This includes AusLIST, the Australian List of Institutions and Courses in Other Countries.
Last Modified: Monday, 18 August 2008