Education (Overseas Students) Bill 2018
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Education, Employment and Small Business Committee
▸27 members spoke27 support
As Minister for Education, moved that the bill be read a second time and commended its bipartisan support. Defended the bill's provisions for overseas student regulation, new ATAR system, and trading hours amendments.
“I am very pleased there is bipartisan support for this bill. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
As shadow minister, heavily criticised the government's inclusion of trading hours amendments to fix an 'Easter bungle' but supported the education reforms including the transition from OP to ATAR which the former LNP government initiated.
“International education is one of the biggest service export industries in Queensland, generating almost $3 billion a year in export revenue.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
As Committee Chair, supported the bill which modernises regulation of providers to overseas students, establishes a new regime for student exchange programs, and supports implementation of new senior assessment and tertiary entrance systems.
“I rise to speak in support of the Education (Overseas Students) Bill 2017.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
As Deputy Chair of the Education Committee, supported the bill which replaces outdated 1996 legislation. Acknowledged the committee recommended the bill be passed and highlighted importance of education for children's futures.
“The Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee of the 55th Parliament, which previously reviewed the 2017 version of this bill, agreed that the bill should be passed.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
As former Education Minister who initiated the OP to ATAR reforms, strongly supported the bill. Praised the value of overseas students to Queensland's economy and education system, and emphasised the importance of the transition to ATAR.
“Overseas students provide great value to our state, and not just to our economy. They provide great value in terms of our relationships with other countries.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill, emphasising the economic value of overseas students and Labor's commitment to education. Praised the Minister for Education and highlighted the importance of education for Queensland's future.
“We know how much overseas students bring into the economy of this great state.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Explicitly stated the LNP will not oppose the legislation. Acknowledged the bill's positive elements including overseas student regulation and ATAR reforms, while criticising the government's trading hours 'bungle'.
“The Liberal National Party will not oppose the passage of this legislation as it will create a new regime for the regulation of providers of courses to overseas students.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill's education reforms including the transition to ATAR and streamlined administration for schools with overseas students. Criticised the trading hours amendment as a fix for government oversight.
“Overall, the policy direction we are heading here is the right direction and therefore our side of the House will be not opposing this bill.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
As former committee chair and ex-school principal, strongly supported the bill. Defended Queensland teachers and the quality of education that attracts international students to the state.
“It is great to see that both sides of the House came to the same agreement that the former committee did in terms of this bill.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill's education reforms and highlighted the importance of international students to her electorate on the Gold Coast.
“Education has become a very important part of our economy.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill's education reforms while criticising aspects of the trading hours amendments and government administration.
“International education is a significant export industry for Queensland.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill and highlighted the benefits of international students to regional Queensland communities like Mackay.
“International students bring significant economic and cultural benefits to our communities.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill's education reforms while raising concerns about the impact of trading hours changes on regional businesses in her electorate.
“International education is important for Queensland's economy.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill while highlighting the importance of Easter trading for regional tourism businesses in his electorate.
“The tourist season in my area starts at Easter.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill and highlighted the benefits of the education reforms for students in her electorate.
“Education is vital for Queensland's future.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill, drawing on her own experience as an international exchange student in Japan. Emphasised the cultural and economic value of student exchanges and international education.
“This legislation really is recognising that this is not just a major cultural experience; it is a major economic export for our state.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill and highlighted the importance of international students to Toowoomba's education sector and economy.
“International education is a growing industry for Toowoomba.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill and emphasised the government's commitment to quality education in Queensland.
“This government is committed to education.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill while raising concerns about the trading hours amendments and their impact on regional businesses.
“Regional businesses need certainty about trading hours.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Explicitly supported the bill, highlighting international students at schools in the Whitsunday islands including Hamilton Island and Hayman Island. Criticised the trading hours bungle but said 'better late than never'.
“As they say in the classics, better late than never. I support the bill before the House.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Explicitly supported the bill, drawing on his experience with the Australia Latin America Leadership Program. Highlighted the economic and cultural benefits of international education.
“I support the Education (Overseas Students) Bill.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill and highlighted the importance of international students to the education sector.
“International education is an important sector for Queensland.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill's education reforms and the transition from OP to ATAR system.
“The changes to tertiary entrance are welcome.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill and its education reforms while raising concerns about regional trading hours.
“Education is important for regional Queensland.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill and highlighted the benefits of international education for regional Queensland.
“International students bring benefits to regional communities.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Explicitly spoke in support of the bill, highlighting the value of international education to Queensland.
“It is a privilege to stand in this House today to speak in support of the Education (Overseas Students) Bill.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Supported the bill and its education reforms while contributing to debate on international students.
“International education is valuable to Queensland.”— 2018-03-06View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill makes four unrelated sets of changes: it modernises the regulation of schools providing education to overseas students, creates a new statutory framework for student exchange programs, implements major reforms to senior secondary assessment including external exams and ATARs from 2019, and fixes an error that banned Easter Saturday trading in regional towns.
Who it affects
Year 11 students from 2019 onwards face the biggest changes - they will sit external exams and receive ATARs instead of OPs. Schools enrolling overseas students and student exchange organisations must comply with new approval and compliance requirements. Regional Queenslanders in towns like Mt Isa, Roma and Longreach can again shop at larger retailers on Easter Saturday.
Senior assessment and university entrance
Queensland is moving from the OP system to ATARs and introducing external exams for senior subjects. From 2019, Year 11 students will have subject results based on both school-based assessments and external exams set by the QCAA. External exams will count for 25% of most subjects and 50% for maths and science subjects.
- External exams introduced for senior subjects, set and marked by QCAA
- ATARs replace OP ranks for university entrance
- Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre takes over tertiary entrance ranking from QCAA
- New quality assurance processes for school-based assessments
Overseas student provider regulation
Schools that enrol overseas students must now obtain approval from the Director-General under a new framework aligned with Commonwealth requirements. The bill introduces compliance monitoring powers including authorised persons who can inspect premises and take enforcement action.
- New approval system for schools providing courses to overseas students
- Authorised persons can enter premises to investigate compliance
- Compliance notices and show cause processes for breaches
- Review rights through QCAT for aggrieved providers
Student exchange programs
International secondary student exchange organisations must now be approved under a statutory regime, replacing the previous administrative arrangement. This covers organisations like Rotary that arrange exchanges, as well as schools running their own programs.
- Statutory approval required for student exchange organisations
- Approvals granted for up to six years with conditions
- Guidelines to be made about program requirements and host family screening
- New register of approved exchange organisations to be published online
Regional Easter Saturday trading
An error in the 2017 trading hours reforms accidentally prohibited larger retailers from opening on Easter Saturday in regional areas without seven-day trading. This bill restores the previous trading arrangements.
- Non-exempt shops in affected regional areas can open 8am-6pm on Easter Saturday
- Affected areas include Mt Isa, Roma, Charters Towers, Longreach and others
Home education and school administration
Minor changes to home education rules and school administration to reduce red tape and provide more certainty for families.
- Home education registration extended to 31 December of year child turns 17
- Registration continues during review if application refused or cancelled
- Educational program summary now required (learning philosophy alone not sufficient)
- School councils can adopt model constitution changes without separate approval