Understanding ESOS

Education providers who enrol international students are required to comply with the ESOS legislative framework. This framework consists of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code) and the Education Services for Overseas Students Regulations 2019 (ESOS Regulations).

These regulatory obligations encompass the international student journey starting with information provision to help students make an informed course and education provider choice; issuing a letter of offer; providing pre-departure and orientation; facilitating enrolment and monitoring that students meet their student visa conditions; and ensuring students maintain satisfactory course progress and complete within their expected course duration.

This workshop will unpack the regulatory framework that governs international education in Australia. Participants will focus on the National Code to gain a better understanding of what is required to be compliant across the student journey and what constitutes good practice. Participants will also be encouraged to share their pain points in order to find compliant solutions to take away from the workshop.

Co-Founder & Principal of IEP Advisory (IEP)

Melanie has nearly twenty-five (25) years’ experience in higher education with extensive expertise in international admissions; designing and implementing policies, procedures and processes within an ESOS/TEQSA framework; leading international-specific campuses for both universities and third-party providers; transitioning pathway students to higher education; and leading teams of international education professionals across all tertiary international student lifecycle administrative processes and wellbeing service delivery.

Melanie’s work embeds enterprise-wide risk management practices with key compliance responsibilities a part of her management roles since 2006. Over this time, she has been responsible for ensuring that her providers’ and teams’ processes, policies and practices meet the obligations of the ESOS Act 2000; National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education to Overseas Students (2007 & 2018); Disability Standards for Education 2005; TEQSA Equity & Diversity and Wellbeing & Safety Guidelines; and Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.

Melanie is the Co-Founder & Principal of IEP Advisory (IEP). IEP offers services to education providers who are CRICOS-registered or seeking CRICOS registration.