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Q. |
What is the funding used for? |
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A. |
Eligible students are expected to receive a minimum of six months intensive English language tuition either in intensive language centres/units or in schools. Eligible humanitarian new arrival students are expected to receive a minimum of 12 months intensive English language tuition in intensive language centres/units or in schools. Where tuition is provided in schools, it is expected that students will be provided with a minimum of ten hours of ESL assistance per week. The amount and duration of assistance to be provided for individual students is a matter for education authorities to determine.
Funds may be used at the discretion of the education authority for such purposes as:
- the employment of specialist teachers, including bilingual teachers, to teach ESL in a variety of situations, including but not restricted to:
- Intensive and part-time withdrawal instruction
- Parallel and team teaching
- Assistance to regular teachers to enable them to attend more effectively to English language development across the curriculum for ESL learners;
- the employment of advisory staff, interpreters, translators, bilingual welfare officers, teachers aides and school-community liaison workers;
- curriculum development and the provision of ESL teaching and learning materials;
- the provision of small items of equipment such as teaching aids, but not otherwise used for capital purposes; or
- the provision of ESL-in-service courses for ESL specialists as well as mainstream teachers.
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Q. |
Can individuals, families or schools claim ESL-NA funding directly from the Australian Government? |
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A. |
No. Government and non-government education authorities in each State and Territory are responsible for the detailed administration of the ESL-NA Programme. Education authorities confirm student eligibility and submit funding claims to the Australian Government for eligible students in their jurisdictions.
If you wish to enquire about ESL-NA funding for student(s), please contact the relevant education authority in your State or Territory. |
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Q. |
Why are some temporary (provisional) visas holders eligible for the grant but not others? |
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A. |
The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) sets Australia’s immigration policies, which determine entry to, and conditions of, residence in Australia. Up to 2001, only Australian citizens and permanent residents were eligible for support under the ESL-NA Programme. However, in recognising the need to invest in Australia’s future, the Australian Government expanded the programme’s eligibility to include students holding certain temporary and provisional visas that provide for a long term commitment to Australia. A complete list of eligible permanent and temporary residency visa subclasses is available to assist in determining students’ eligibility for funding. |
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Q. |
What about ‘457’ visas? Are school aged dependents of 457 visa holders eligible for Australian Government ESL-NA funding? |
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A. |
No. School aged dependents of employer sponsored temporary business visa (subclass 457) are not eligible for ESL-NA assistance as the visa holders are required to provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and all family members, including the cost of schooling. Sponsors and entrants to Australia under this visa category come with the understanding that any costs to the Australian community that may be incurred as a result of their stay are minimised.
Arrangements for these visa holders have been developed in conjunction with State and Territory governments to address labour market shortages. States and Territories may elect to charge fees for students who are holders of 457 visas. |
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Q. |
I have a question about obtaining or issuing of visas….who should I contact? |
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A. |
The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) sets Australia’s immigration policies which determines entry to, and conditions of, residence in Australia. DIAC is the appropriate agency to contact in relation to immigration matters and the issuing of visas.
DIAC may be contacted on Freecall 131 881 or visit the website at http://www.immi.gov.au/  |