Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

Eligibility criteria for students and accountability requirements for schools

English as a Second Language - New Arrivals Program

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Do you need to comply?

Yes, if your school has received funding for students who meet the eligibility criteria for the English as a Second Language - New Arrivals Program (ESL-NA).

Conditions of compliance

The ESL-NA Program focuses on improving the educational opportunities and outcomes of newly arrived students of non-English speaking backgrounds by developing their English language competence and facilitating their participation in mainstream educational activities.

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

1. Assess each student's proficiency in the English language as requiring intensive assistance to enable the student to participate fully in mainstream classroom activities.
2. Collect evidence from each student of their eligibility for the ESL-NA Program. Valid evidence includes:
   • a current Australian passport or a Certificate of Australian Citizenship;
   • a passport from a country other than Australia with a current Australian visa granting permanent residency status, for example - 'Holder permitted to remain in Australia indefinitely';
   • proof of being a minor under 18 years of age at the time of enrolment in the class with a current temporary visa granted under the immigration Humanitarian Program;
   • a provisional visa granted under the Business Skills category of the Migration Program; or
   • a Removal Pending Bridging visa.
3. Ensure that the students are enrolled in an intensive English class within certain timeframes:
   • Students entering the first year of primary schooling must have enrolled in an intensive English language course funded under this Program within eighteen months of arrival in Australia, or of being granted a temporary visa under the immigration Humanitarian Program, or a provisional visa under the Business Skills Category of the Migration Program, or a Removal Pending Bridging Visa.
   • Students entering any other year of schooling must have enrolled in an intensive English language course funded under this Program within six months of arrival in Australia, or of being granted a temporary visa under the immigration Humanitarian Program, or a provisional visa under the Business Skills Category of the Migration Program, or a Removal Pending Bridging Visa.
   • In addition, students must at the time of enrolling in the initial intensive English language course, be undertaking, or have an intention to undertake, either before or as soon as practicable after completion of the course, primary or secondary education at a government or non-government school.
   • The date of entry stamp on the visa label or a stamp in the Australian passport is usually evidence of entry to Australia. Where required details are not shown, the holder can request this information from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on telephone 13 18 81.
   • If students meet all of these criteria, a one-off per capita grant from the Australian Government will be paid to the education authority responsible for the provision of the students' initial course of intensive English language tuition.
4. As soon as the student arrives at your school contact Independent Schools Victoria and speak to the person responsible for ESL-NA to discuss the possible eligibility for funding. If the student is deemed eligible, Independent Schools Victoria will provide you with the appropriate documentation for you to complete.

As part of this documentation, you will need to include a detailed description of the intensive program of ESL instruction being provided for the student, as well as the details of ESL qualifications and experience of staff involved in provision of this program.

5. At the end of the funding period, you will need to provide the following information to Independent Schools Victoria :
   • Names of students who participated in a specifically designed English language program
   • Assessment tools used to assess English language proficiency
   • Level of proficiency to access the intensive English language
   • Level of proficiency to exit the intensive English language program
   • A description of how the Australian Government ESL-NA funds were used

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

You may be required to return any funding received.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Aine Maher
Director, Education Services
Ph. 03 9825 7226
aine.maher@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Click here to go to the Independent Schools Victoria website's 'ESL - New Arrivals' page

Other links:

Click here to go to the Australian Government programs for Schools Quadrennial Administrative Guidelines 2009 to 2012.

Click here to access current eligible visa subclasses

ESL-NA Program Manager
DEEWR
Ph. (02) 6240 5299
eslna@deewr.gov.au

Submitted 14/6/2006, edited 18/8/2010.