Policy: International student education agent management

Purpose

To describe the standards underpinning the University’s approach to ensuring the quality of its contracted Education Agents.

Overview

This policy sets out the principles for the appointment, management and termination of international Education Agents. This policy is compliant with requirements under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Framework, the Higher Education Standards Framework together with the Australian International Education and Training Agent Code of Ethics (ACE).

These regulatory guidelines can be accessed here:

National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students

Higher Education Standards Framework

Australian International Education and Training - Agent Code of Ethics

Scope

This policy applies to all staff of the Australian National University (ANU) and Education Agents engaged on behalf of the University.

Definitions

Education Agent: A person or organisation who is contracted by ANU to recruit international students and refer them to ANU. The Education Agent may provide education counselling to international students as well as marketing and promotion services to ANU. Education Agents may be operating in Australia and/or overseas.

ESOS legislative framework: Establishes legislative requirements and standards for the quality assurance of education and training institutions offering courses to international students who are in Australia on a student visa. ESOS also provides tuition fee protection for international students.

National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (National Code): The National Code is a legislative instrument made under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act and sets nationally consistent standards to support providers to deliver quality education and training to overseas students.

HES Framework (Higher Education Standards Framework): is the definitive set of requirements for Australian higher education providers.

Leads refer to prospective students.

Lead-generation activities refer to marketing and advertising activities undertaken to promote ANU to prospective students.

Policy statement

ANU engages and manages Education Agents to:

support the University’s student recruitment objectives
promote the University’s programs and courses
undertake lead-generation activities and assist with conversion of these leads
provide in-country representation in existing, new and emerging markets for the University
counsel students on ANU pathway programs and provide ‘leads’ to these ANU programs
undertake Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) checks prior to the submission of applications to ANU
provide market intelligence, including trends, program popularity and demand to inform future recruitment strategy development.

The ANU International Strategy and Future Students Division (ISFS) is responsible for the management of ANU Education Agents, including:

communication with Education Agent staff
appointment, training, review and termination of Education Agents
conflicts of interest

ISFS undertakes ongoing management of Education Agents to:

promote the University’s programs and courses with integrity and accuracy
uphold the high reputation of the University and the Australian education sector
ensure the University and prospective students receive high quality customer service
ensure transparent, fair and ethical dealings
maintain compliance with ANU admissions and policy frameworks, values, and broader legislative requirements. This includes the ESOS legislative framework including the National Code, the Higher Education Standards Framework, and the Agent Code of Ethics
ensure adequate performance in terms of student quantity, quality and diversity as well as meeting any set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

ANU immediately suspends, discontinues or terminates a contract with Education Agents who:

seriously breach their contract with the University
do not meet performance criteria or KPIs as set by the University
represent the University in an incorrect or dishonest manner
damage the reputation of ANU
do not comply with the University’s admissions requirements, policy frameworks or values
do not comply with Australian legislative requirements including the ESOS legislative framework and the Agent Code of Ethics
provide services to students which are poor, unethical and dishonest.

Information	Printable version (PDF)
Title	International student education agent management
Document Type	Policy
Document Number	ANUP_014207
Version
Purpose	This policy sets out the principles for engaging with education agents.
Audience	Prospective Students, Students, Staff
Category	Administrative
Topic/ SubTopic	Students - Other

Effective Date	24 Aug 2021
Next Review Date	24 Aug 2026

Responsible Officer:	Director International Strategy and Future Student Division
Approved By:	Vice-Chancellor
Contact Area	International Strategy and Future Students Division
Authority:	Australian National University Act 1991 National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021
Delegations	315
Information generated and received by ANU staff in the course of conducting business on behalf of ANU is a record and should be captured by an authorised recordkeeping system. To learn more about University records and recordkeeping practice at ANU, see ANU recordkeeping and Policy: Records and archives management.

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