COVID-19 Impact and Response

Tuesday 31 March 2020

International Education

Agent Webinar

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2020 SO FAR – KEY MILESTONESHousekeeping

HOW TO ASK QUESTIONSPlease mute yourself during

the presentation

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function. You will have the opportunity to submit comments and questions via a survey at the

conclusion of the webinar.

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weeks/months.

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• If you drop out, please call in on the phone line –

• Australia: +61 29037 0069

• Access code: 575 290 808

COVID-19

Impact and Response Webinar

for International Education Agents

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Rebecca Hall, Senior Industry Specialist, International Education, Australian, Austrade

Robert Parsonson, International Student Education Agents Association

Matthew Noble, Director, Student & Graduate Visas, Department of Home Affairs

Warwick Miles, A/Director ESOS Systems & Support, Dept of Education, Skills and Employment

How the international education sector is being impacted and is responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

2020 SO FAR – KEY MILESTONESOverview

• Welcome and Introductions - Rebecca Hall

• Overview and status of COVID-19 on the sector - Rebecca Hall

• Current position on visa conditions - Matthew Noble

• Current positon on education provision - Warwick Miles

• Overview of ISEAA and proposals for action - Robert Parsonson

• Looking to the future and close - Rebecca Hall

COVID-19 impacts on international education

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Impact on Australia’s international education sector

• More than 570,000 student visa holders in Australia. Every student with their own story and experience.

• Australian universities successfully transitioned to online (where practical) along with student support services and pastoral care online.

• Much to be proud of in how institutions have pivoted resources and continued focus on students and staff during these challenging times.

• Australian institutions have a depth of experience in online and distance education - we have strong systems, agile teaching and learning

practices and have quickly responded to the needs of learners.

• Our regulators have also moved swiftly to address regulatory issues, releasing key and joint statements.

• Movement of students returning home, continuing online studies from home, and/or deferring given current environment.

• Australian edtech and education services have been a shining light in responding to the crisis ( Moodle, Vygo, Seek)

• Emerging issues in - student welfare and wellbeing, reaching student audiences with the right information, provider viability and

sustainability during COVID-19 measures.

• Australia’s Tuition Protection Service is well placed to support students and providers.

• Australia's community sector is playing a key role to support those most vulnerable in our community.

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HOW OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED

Country# of

cases 30 March 20

Theme of national response

Canada 6,320+‘Caremongering’ – offering help to others

within communities who are at risk.

New

Zealand 589

Early protection measures enforced to stop

the spread, Viruses Don’t Discriminate.

United

Kingdom19,000+

#StayHomeSaveLives – Stay at home to

protect the NHS

United

States143,000+ ‘War against coronavirus’

Major English speaking destinations for international education and COVID-19

COVID-19 situation (as at 30 March)

AUSTRALIA

Confirmed cases: 4197

Deaths: 17

THE WORLD

Confirmed cases: 723,700

Deaths: 34,018

“Global student mobility has effectively ceased and many students are now facing challenging times away from home.”

Updates from the JHU CSSE here

Australia’s organic response from the sector was one of

Care Collaboration Creativity

#InThisTogether emerged as call to action

The Australian Government established a Global Reputation Taskforce following the bushfires

Shaping Australia’s response in times of reputational damage

On 21 January 2020, the Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, convened a

Roundtable with key international education sector stakeholders. An outcome of the

Roundtable was the formation of the Global Reputation Taskforce.

This Taskforce has been formed to shape Australia’s response in times of reputational

damage or significant external risk to the sector, and to accelerate efforts to build a strong

cohesive national brand for international education.

The work done by the Taskforce will be under the leadership of the Council for International

Education and will link to the broader policy agenda for international education. Recommendations

will inform the process to refresh the National Strategy for International Education 2025.

Taskforce meets weekly and has recommended action on crisis responses, communication, enhancing our

reputation, mental health and wellbeing, flexibility in regulation, visas and other border measures,

flexibility in education delivery, supporting positive community sentiment & industry resilience.

For your business For students / individuals

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› Moratorium on evictions announced for all renters https://www.pm.gov.au/media/national-cabinet-statement

› Purpose Built Student Accommodation providers continue to

offer support and service for students

› Access to superannuation via Australian Tax Office (ATO) https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-

Early_Access_to_Super_2.pdf

› Minister for Social Services, Ann Ruston advised the media of

policy options being considered for temporary workers.

› A range of institutional hardship packages and support being

announced, keep a track at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

› States and territory study clusters, along with institutions/agents

are working to engage with national and local community

organisations, such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, Foodbank to

support immediate need

Australian registered businesses are eligible for a range of support through

the Access to stimulus packages offered to support businesses

› JobKeeper payment

› Boosting cash flow for employers

› Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses

› Increasing the instant asset write-off

› Increased and accelerated income support

› Assistance for regions, communities sand industries

› Backing business investment

› Supporting apprentices and trainees

› SME Guarantee Scheme

These are complemented by a range of State and Territory Stimulus

packages and initiatives, including

› Study Melbourne Welfare Grants

› Study Queensland

An initial $1 billion to support regions, communities and industries

disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the Coronavirus,

including those heavily reliant on industries such as tourism, agriculture and

education. The $1 billion will be spent through existing or newly established

Government programs or initiatives.

2020 SO FAR – KEY MILESTONESKey government announcements for the sector and agents - economic stimulus and community support

www.treasury.gov.au/coronavirus | www.business.gov.au

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Tools to stay up to date

Download the new Australian Government COVID-19 App

www.australia.gov.au

Study In Australia

Resource Hub

• International Education

Agent and Provider

Update

• Webinars and market

insights

• Student facing social

media and channel

engagement

• Sharing good news

and campaign updates

Innovative tools like Lygon Digital’s UNI COVID

Response Tracker www.thesourceco.online

Visa Conditions Update

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Department of Home Affairs

COVID-19 and Visa arrangements

Education Agent Webinar

Department of Home Affairs

Current Australian border arrangements

• Travel restrictions apply to all people entering Australia.

• There are exemptions that are in place to facilitate travel to Australia.

– Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family (spouses, dependent children

and legal guardians) are able to travel to Australia.

• The ABF Commissioner may also consider an exemption on a case-by-case basis to approve

discretionary requests for entry. The types of considerations for case by case exemptions include:

‒ Foreign nationals travelling at the invitation of the Australian Government.

‒ Individuals providing critical medical services, persons with critical skills to support the national

effort.

‒ Diplomats accredited to Australia and currently resident in Australia and their immediate family.

‒ Case by case exceptions for humanitarian or compassionate reasons.

• Temporary visa holders (including students and bridging visa holders who do not meet one of the

exemption categories above) cannot travel to Australia unless they meet the requirements for an

exemption.

• Further information is available at; https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions

Department of Home Affairs

• The Department is prioritising processing visa applications for those travellers in the exempt

categories to support urgent travel.

• Students overseas should reconsider their need to apply for a student visa at this time, unless

they are exempt from the travel restrictions.

• If students commence an Australian course of study overseas and proceed to study online they

do not need a visa for Australia. They only require a visa when they intend to enter Australia,

• Students should also only lodge visa applications when they are confident that they can satisfy

requirements for a student visa application that may be required for assessment (Health check,

English language testing and evidence of financial capacity).

• A range of services are increasingly unavailable:

– This includes overseas panel doctors - who undertake medical checks, English language

testing facilities, biometric collection and paper application lodgement centres.

• While these services are unavailable, many applicants cannot meet visa requirements.

Impact on visa applications made overseas

Department of Home Affairs

• Students unable to return to Australia to continue their studies may need to have their study

deferred. This will not affect their visa status.

• Education providers should supply students with information about:

– Australian Government travel restrictions

– any state or federal health restrictions that may affect them.

• The Department of Home Affairs does not regulate mode of study requirements for international

students.

• Education providers should contact their regulatory agency for further advice.

Students outside Australia

For the exceptions as result of the travel restrictions, see the

National Code requirements for affected tertiary students to

undertake online study.

Department of Home Affairs

• The Department is prioritising processing visa applications for those who need to remain lawful in

Australia.

• Student visas cannot be extended onshore at this stage. There are a number of visa pathways

open for student visa holders to remain in Australia (including applying for another new student visa

or a visitor visa), provided they meet all necessary visa requirements.

• More information can be found at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-visa/australia

• Some services relating to the visa application process may be impacted and a range of services

are increasingly unavailable.

– This includes panel doctors who undertake medical checks, English language testing facilities

and biometric collection.

• While these services are unavailable, many applicants cannot meet visa requirements. Students

will be given additional time to complete checks and provide the requested information.

Impact on visa applications in Australia

Department of Home Affairs

EXTENDED WORKING HOURS

IN SUPERMARKETS

EXTENDED WORKING HOURS

IN AGED CARE

WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT

RESPONSE

• Australia’s supermarkets are

able to temporarily offer

international students to

extend their working hours to

deliver essential services.

• The measures are available to

supermarkets including

Woolworths and Coles, and

only for existing employees in

their existing roles.

• The changes are temporary,

but may be expanded to assist

other sectors if required.

• Employers are still required to

abide by all relevant Australian

workplace laws, and students

have the same rights under

Australian workplace law as all

other employees.

• The Government has relaxed

international student nurse

visa work conditions to provide

workforce continuity for aged

care facilities, home care

providers and other health

care workers.

• This allows student nurses and

other aged care workers to

work more than the 40 hours a

fortnight.

• There are currently around

900 approved providers of

residential aged care

employers and around 1,000

approved providers of Home

Care Packages.

• There are currently around

20,000 international student

nurses studying in Australia.

• The Department is working

closely with the international

education sector on the impact

of these changes for student

visa holders.

• Information for international

students and education

providers is available on the

Department of Home Affairs

website.

• Student visas will not be

cancelled if students breach

visa conditions due to non

attendance or deferred

enrolment due to the travel

restrictions.

Special arrangements for students who are in Australia

Department of Home Affairs

Policy work

• The Department has put a number of Policy considerations to Government.

• A guiding principle is that students should not be impacted adversely by COVID-19.

• Issues and circumstances raised by the industry have all been registered and form parts of

these considerations.

• Announcements will be made to you once decisions are taken by Government.

• From an operational perspective, we are looking to apply full flexibility.

Department of Home Affairs

• Please continue to check the Australian Government’s websites regularly for the latest

information as the situation is rapidly evolving.

• The Department of Home Affairs website undergoing daily updates. A significant update to

include more individualised information for clients and will be available in the coming days.

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

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For more information

www.homeaffairs.gov.au www.dese.gov.au www.health.gov.au

www.australia.gov.au and www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

Education Delivery Update

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COVID-19 update for education agents

Warwick Miles – Acting Director ESOS Systems and Support

Flexibility in Regulation

• Regulators and Government implemented a flexible regulatory approach:

-Online education – Regulators are not enforcing limits

-Allowing compassionate and compelling circumstances for

deferrals and suspensions of study

-Extending timeframes for reporting obligations to support

continued delivery

• Ensuring quality of education delivery and outcomes remains the

Government’s commitment.

Facilitating China-based students to attend Year 11 and 12

• Announced by Australian Education and Health Ministers following the travel ban issued for China on the 1st of February.

• Applies only to Year 11 and 12 students from China

• Exemptions are only be granted when agreed by state and federal departments of education and health, and the Australian Border Force.

• Victoria, ACT and Tasmania have requested exemptions.

Tuition Protection for Students

• The TPS stands ready to assist any student affected by their education provider being unable to place or refund them if required.

• Normal procedures apply – students should approach their provider in the first instance, and in any closure, the provider has 14 days to meet their obligations.

• TPS will be in contact with students if the provider is unable to assist them and will assist them to be placed or refunded their unspent tuition fees.

• The TPS has requested providers that have viability issues to talk to the TPS as soon as possible to enable the best outcomes for students.

www.dese.gov.au/news/coronavirus-covid-19

Dedicated email and hotline for international students -international.students@dese.gov.au or call 1300 981 621(9am to 5pm AEDST Monday to Friday - calls within Australia only).

Contact Points

PA

GE

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COVID-19 Response

– Robert Parsonson

Photo: www.studiesinaustralia.com

PA

GE

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Student Health

and Welfare

Visas and Course

Progression

Thinking of the futureSupporting the

industry and

Student loans

Four Pillars for Responding to COVID-19

PA

GE

27Student Welfare and Support

Ease the main stress points - Food and

accommodation now the top concerns1

Information on health and what to do if they fall ill. OSHC information

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3Student benefit of A$500 per fortnight

for next 6 months.

4Information on no forced evictions

from housing.

PA

GE

28Visas and Course Progression

Visa extensions and deferments - The NZ Government model

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Retention of enrolled students and offshore online study

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3No cancellation of CoEs by providers

for non-financial status over the next 6

months

4 Providers to keep engaging and calling

students

PA

GE

29Support the industry - student loans

A student loan based on the VET Student Loans (VSL)

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A$1000 per 3-month term, A$100 per week for ELICOS

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3 Dated from April 2020 – 6months

and review

4Supports the student and provider

– eases pressure on closures and

TPS

Thinking of the Future

What we do now to take care of our

students has a huge impact on the future

recovery of this industry.

We have all benefited from 30 years

of students paying fees, taxes and

for services.

It is time we helped them out.

iseaa.org.au

Concepts presented by ISEAA- not government policy

Wrap up and

the future

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KEY INSIGHTSThe only way out is through, and we will keep an eye on recovery

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KEY INSIGHTS#INTHISTOGETHER GRASSROOTS CALL TO ACTION

• #InThisTogether is a flexible, call to action which can be adopted by all

members of the international education sector. While its immediate purpose

is in response to COVID-19, it is a concept which can band partners,

providers and students together at any time.

• Supports multiple voices and reinforces the importance of collaboration,

care and creativity during challenging times

• We also know from past experience, messages of support from peers and

user-generated content has more appeal and cut-through with our

international student cohort, and we can all do with some practical

optimism right now.

• To create a successful grassroots movement, we encourage our state and

territory partners, education providers, agents and students to get behind

#InThisTogether and share messages of support for (and from) impacted

international students.

• Visit www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/resource-hub for guidelines/assets.

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KEY INSIGHTS6 simple steps you can take today

1. Keep in touch with your Austrade and government contacts in your respective markets.

2. Register and participate in upcoming webinars, and let us know further topics of interest

3. Download the Australia COVID-19 app, and help us continually improve the content

4. Subscribe to Market Information Package Weekly for latest news on whole of government support for the sector and regular market updates

5. Visit www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/resource-hub and share good news stories so we can show the world

6. Stay positive, support each other and remember we are all……

@studyinaustralia @australia_edu@studyinaustralia_ MIP Weekly subscription

COVID-19 Impact and Response

We look forward to your feedback. Look out for the follow up email and resources.

International Education

Agent Webinar

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Thank you