18 February 2015 at 9:00 am
Legislation enhances Code
The passing of the Education Amendment Act 2015 brings an enhanced legislative framework for a new Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code) and establishes an independent International Student Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS).
The next steps will see the drafting of the new Code along with rules for the DRS, and the appointment of a specialised organisation for alternative disputes resolution.
Once the Parliamentary Counsel completes the drafts of the new Code and scheme rules for DRS, consultation with the sector on these drafts will begin. The Ministry of Education will handle the consultation process.
When the new regulations are finalised and the new system is ready for operation, a start date will be set.
Both the International Education Appeal Authority and the Review Panel will continue to exist until they finish processing all cases received before the commencement date. Cases lodged after that date will be dealt with under the new Code and scheme rules.
For more information on the Amendment Act, please check the Ministry of Education’s website.
