5STAR Student Services

Based on the success of the New Colombo Plan pilot, the Australian Government will extend it’s 2015 program to include 35 countries in the Indo-Pacific region. 

The New Colombo Plan is an initiative of the federal government that provides funding for Australian undergraduate students to undertake study in the Indo-Pacific region, with the intention of strengthening the relationship between Australia and its neighbouring countries. The federal government has committed $100 million in funding over five years, offering scholarships and mobility grants for study and work experience abroad.

During the program’s pilot phase in 2014, students travelled to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore. In 2015, the New Colombo Plan will be extended to include countries such as China, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Vietnam. For a list of the 35 participating countries included in the Plan and further information, visit http://goo.gl/CYCKdj

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A Joint Peak Body Statement regarding the ELICOS National Standards set to commence in 2018 has clarified the situation regarding testing of English Language proficiency.

Contrary to some media reports over the past day, a new test is NOT being imposed to assess English-language proficiency among international students in Australia.  Australian education institutions already have some of the strongest standards in the world to ensure that international students can get the most benefit from studying and living here.

The Australian Government recently released updated national standards for ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students), which will apply from 2018.   Some media reports mistakenly suggested a new test is required as part of these new standards.

To be clear, there is no requirement for further standardised testing under the ELICOS National Standards 2018. Testing is only one form of assessment that may be considered and education providers will still set their own English language requirements for entry to their courses.

Crucially, also, the revised standards do not change the existing visa requirements to study in Australia – nor the pathways to further study.

It is important that potential students understand this will not make it harder to study in Australia. The ELICOS National Standards 2018 make minor amendments to existing standards to ensure quality is upheld in the future.

The main change amends the definition of an ELICOS course to bring all registered intensive English language courses within the scope of the ELICOS standards.  

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