Study Tours and Program International Visitor Policy

1. What is this policy about?
   1. This policy supports the planning for international visitors participating in the Education and Training Directorate’s (the Directorate) study tours and education programs.
2. Policy Statement
   1. The Directorate promotes and supports visits to ACT public schools by international visitors as a way of developing an international perspective in ACT school communities, cultural awareness and knowledge and appreciation of other societies.
3. Who does this policy apply to?
   1. This policy applies to all ACT public schools and Directorate staff, international visitors and agents.
4. Context
   1. Canberra promotes itself as a study destination for international visitors. These study tours and programs provide opportunities to showcase ACT public school education.
   2. The visits also provide a platform for ACT teachers and students to build meaningful relationships with teachers and students from other nations and cultures.
   3. Enrolment in ACT public schools is governed by legislation including the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth), and the Education Act 2004 (ACT).
5. Responsibilities
   1. Schools and the International Education Unit: are responsible for implementing this policy.
   2. Policy Owner: The Director, Student Engagement 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 International Education Unit on (02) 6205 6764 or email ieu@act.gov.au.
8. Complaints
   1. Any concerns about the application of this policy or the policy itself, should be raised with:
      • the school principal in the first instance;
      • the Directorate’s Liaison Unit on (02) 6205 5429.
      • online at https://www.education.act.gov.au/about-us/contact_us.
      • see also the Complaints Policy on the Directorate’s website.
9. References
   1. Definitions
      • An Agent: is an individual, company or other organisation providing services on a commercial basis under an agreement with the ACT Government to assist individuals to participate in a Directorate study tour or delegation. Agents include:
        • education specialists who place students on behalf of one or more institutions;
        • education specialists who place students but with no ties to any particular institution;
        • non-education specialists, for example travel agents, who may offer overseas education placement services as a subsidiary activity.
      • Study Tours and Education Programs: refers to study tours, delegations and all international programs hosted by the Directorate.
   2. Legislation
      • The Education Act 2004 provides for the governance and operation of ACT public schools.
      • The Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth) regulates foreign nationals entering Australia for work, study and residency.
      • Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 provides for background checking of people working with or wanting to work with children or vulnerable adults in the ACT.
   3. Implementation Documents
      • Study Tours and Programs for International Visitors Procedure
   4. Related Policies and Information
      • Enrolment of the Dependants of Temporary Residents
      • International Fee Paying Students Policy
      • International Secondary Student Exchange Programs Policy

Study Tours and Programs for International Visitors Policy: STPIV201307 is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete version of the document, available on the Directorate’s website at http://www.education.act.gov.au/publications_and_policies/school_and_corporate_policies/A-Z.