Overseas Students: Student Travel Policy

1. What is this policy about?
   1. This policy outlines the requirements and approvals for overseas students, enrolled in ACT public schools and who hold visa subclass 500 (school sector), when travelling in term breaks or at end of the school year.
2. Policy Statement
   1. As a registered CRICOS provider, the ACT Education Directorate (Directorate) complies with the legislative framework of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (Clth) 2000 (ESOS Act) and the National Code of Practice 2018 (National Code 2018).
   2. Standard 5 of the National Code 2018 references responsibilities of the registered CRICOS provider in relation to the care, accommodation and welfare (CAaW) of overseas students.
   3. Under Standard 5, the Directorate has CAaW responsibility for those international students aged under 18 years in Homestay or the Family, Friends and Relatives Program (FFaRP). This includes ensuring their safety, and that they are in the care of an approved responsible adult (21 years or over and endorsed by the student’s biological parents or guardian), when travelling in term breaks or at the end of the school year.
3. Who does this policy apply to?
   1. This policy applies to overseas students who hold visa subclass 500 (school sector) and are enrolled in ACT public schools.
4. Context
   1. Overseas students in ACT public schools may undertake domestic and/or international travel in term breaks and/or at year end. International Education Unit (IEU) staff confirm travel arrangements for students under 18 years for whom the Directorate has CAaW responsibility. Options for these students, in the Term 1, 2 and 3 breaks, are:
      • remain in their usual accommodation;
      • travel domestically or internationally, in the company of a responsible adult;
      • travel to home country, unaccompanied;
      • be under the supervision of family.
   2. Students under 18 years with parents or relatives in-country as their legal guardians are not required to submit documents for travel in term breaks. Their compliance with term dates is determined through school sign in records.
   3. Students 18 years and over may travel without IEU approval or being in the company of a responsible adult. Their compliance with term dates is determined through school sign in records. As a courtesy, those 18 years or over and in Homestay should inform their accommodation host of travel arrangements during term breaks.
   4. All overseas students under 18 years for whom the Directorate has CAaW responsibility must return to their home country or make other approved arrangements by Christmas Eve. The Directorate resumes welfare responsibility the week preceding start of a new school year.
   5. All overseas students must attend school on the first and last day of each school term.
5. Responsibilities
   1. International Education Unit (IEU): The IEU is responsible for:
      • implementing this travel policy, with particular attention to the safety and supervision of those under 18 years for whom the Directorate has CAaW responsibility;
      • verifying student travel arrangements with overseas parents for those under 18 years (unless returning to their home country), including confirming details of accompanying responsible adults;
      • advising student, parents, accommodation host and school of the reason if travel is not approved.
   2. International Private Students (IPS Co-ordinators): Co-ordinators are responsible for:
      • distributing the travel forms and assisting students to fill in details and validate these with ticketing or booking references;
      • submitting collated documentation to the IEU by the nominated date;
      • maintaining a register of student sign in on the first and last day of each term.
   3. Overseas Students: Students are responsible for:
      • completing travel forms by the due date and attaching relevant supporting documents;
      • advising accommodation hosts of travel plans.
   4. Policy Owner: The Executive Branch Manager Universal School Support is responsible for this policy.
6. Monitoring and Review
   1. The Policy Owner monitors the policy. This includes an annual scan of operation and review. A full review of the policy will be conducted within a three year period.
7. Contact
   1. For support, contact the IEU on  or via email at .
8. Complaints
   1. Any concerns about the application of this policy or the policy itself, should be raised with:
      • the IEU via email at ieu@act.gov.au or by phone on (02) 6205 9178 in the first instance;
      • contact the Directorate’s Families and Students, Complaints and Feedback Unit on (02) 6205 5429.
      • online at http://www.education.act.gov.au/contact_us.
      • see also the Complaints Policy on the Directorate’s website.
9. References
   1. Legislation
      • Education Services for Overseas Students Act (Clth) 2000
      • National Code 2018
      • Education Act (ACT) 2004
   2. Implementation Documents
      • Overseas Students: Student Travel Procedure
      • Application Form: Travel Approval for Overseas Students
   3. Related Policies and Information
      • IEU Operations Plan
      • IEU Risk Matrix

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