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This policy is current as at 25/09/2018 11:52pm, AEST. Please refer to policy library website (https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library) for an updated version.

Overseas students and visitors

Responsibilities associated with short-term enrolments or hosting visits by overseas school students and other educational groups.

1. Objectives - Policy statement

1.1 This policy provides advice to schools relating to:

1.1.1 overseas students enrolling in or visiting schools for short-term programs

1.1.2 international students on study abroad programs

1.1.3 international secondary student exchanges

1.1.4 study tours

1.1.5 sister-school relationships that involve hosting overseas groups and international travel by teachers and/or students.

2. Audience and applicability

2.1 All NSW government schools.

3. Context

3.1 Schools enrolling overseas students are subject to the legislative requirements of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act and the National Code 2007.

3.2 The National Guidelines for the Operation of International Secondary Student Exchange Programs in Australia (2015) apply to all registered student exchange organisations operating in NSW.

4. Responsibilities and delegations

4.1 Principals:

4.1.1 enrol students from overseas in accordance with the appropriate DoE policy and DE International guideline

4.1.2 enrol temporary residents in accordance with DoE policy and Temporary Residents Program procedures

4.1.3 decide to accept or decline a request to host a study tour in accordance with DoE International guidelines on Study Tours

4.1.4 ensure that the school only deals with secondary student exchange organisations registered to operate in NSW

4.1.5 establish and monitor sister-school arrangements consistent with the implementation document

4.1.6 declare any personal or public disclosures related to any aspect of the activity such as gifts of donations through existing departmental procedures.

4.2 DE International:

4.2.1 Conducts programs and provides advice in relation to:

  • International student program – international students holding a student visa, subclass 500P or 571P (principal holders of the visa)
  • Study abroad program – international students on short-term enrolments for one term to one year, holding a student visa 500P (principal holders of the visa)
  • Temporary residents program - holders of other visas including tourist or visitor visas
  • Study tours – groups of students and / or adults visiting schools; and
  • Secondary student exchange – students holding 500P student visas attend for minimum of one school term to maximum of one year

5. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements

5.1 DE International will monitor, evaluate and report on the enrolment of international students and temporary residents in NSW government schools and study tours in relation to this policy

5.2 The DE International reports annually on reciprocity associated with the operation of international secondary student exchange programs

5.3 DE International will update this policy and related documents as required.

6. Contact

International Student Program
Telephone: 1300 300 229 (Option 2)
Email: isc@det.nsw.edu.au

Study Abroad Program
Senior Study Abroad Officer
Telephone: 02 9244 5018
Email: studyabroad@det.nsw.edu.au

Temporary Residents Program
Program Manager
Telephone: 1300 300 229 (Option 1)
Email: tempvisa@det.nsw.edu.au

Study Tours Program
Senior Study Tours Officer
Telephone: 02 8293 6910
Email: studytours@det.nsw.edu.au

Secondary Student Exchange Programs
Telephone: 02 8293 6982
Email: studentexchange@det.nsw.edu.au

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This information is current as at 25/09/2018 11:52pm, AEST. For the most up-to-date information, go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/overseas-students-and-visitors.

© State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2018. For more information go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/rights-and-accountability/copyright.