What ESB regulates in schools
Within the schools sector, the Education Standards Board (ESB) is responsible for:
- Registration and renewal of all government and non-government schools within South Australia
- Management of the Schools Register
- Registration and renewal of Student Exchange Organisations (SEO) within South Australia
- Approval of secondary exchange students through the Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Student (AASES) form to ensure the SEO meets requirements of the National Guidelines for the Operation of International Secondary Student Exchange Programs in Australia including reciprocity balances.
- Recommending CRICOS school registration and renewal to the Commonwealth Department of Education.
Government and non-government schools
In order to enrol students and provide courses of instruction a school must be registered under the Education and Early Childhood services (Registration and Standards) Act 2011 (SA).
School registration is reviewed every 5 years and is achieved through Validation Reviews of Registration or Self-Reviews of Registration.
ESB will notify and provide the appropriate documentation to schools at the end of their 5-year registration period. The review should be completed by the school principal and is conducted against the Standards, with the Evidence Guide being a key document.
Schools are also required to apply for changes to their school registration. More information can be found here.
Student Exchange Organisations
Student Exchange Organisations are responsible for the management of student exchange programs. These programs provide the opportunity for Australian secondary school students to study overseas, and students from other countries to study in Australia.
Programs that last between one school term and one school year must be registered in accordance with the National Guidelines. Programs that run for shorter or longer durations are not permitted to use the title ‘student exchange’ and should be referred to as ‘study tours’ or ‘cultural immersion’.
In South Australia, only 4 schools and 6 organisations are registered to implement student exchange programs. Details can be found on the register.
CRICOS Schools
A school must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) before providing education to overseas students who have been issued a student visa in their own right.
ESB is a designated state authority for recommending school providers for the registration, renewal and ongoing monitoring of schools’ compliance under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (Cwlth). ESB can also place conditions on CRICOS registration, if necessary.
CRICOS schools are different to SEO’s as student exchange does not include schools that offer full-fee-paying courses for overseas students.