What is ESL-NA funding used for?
A. Eligible students in the non-government school sectors 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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Can ESL-NA funding be claimed for students in the government school sector?
A. No. All queries regarding ESL resourcing in the government school sector, should be directed to the relevant government state or territory education department.
By way of background, from 1 January 2009 Australian Government funding for the English as a Second Language – New Arrivals Program has been rolled into the National Education Agreement (NEA). The new funding arrangements, agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) on 29 November 2008, provide greater flexibility for states and territories to allocate Commonwealth funding to areas which they believe will produce the best outcomes for students. The new education funding framework reduces Commonwealth prescriptions on service delivery by the states and territories, (such as eligibility criteria for ESL-NA funding) in conjunction with outlining clearer roles and responsibilities and implementing outcomes-based public accountability. The new arrangements provide greater flexibility for states and territories to allocate Commonwealth funding to areas which they believe will produce the best outcomes for students.
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Can individuals, families or schools within the non-government sector claim ESL-NA funding directly from the Australian Government?
A. No. Non-government education authorities in each state and territory are responsible for the detailed administration of the ESL-NA Program. Catholic Education Offices and Associations of Independent Schools 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.
Catholic sector contact details in capital cities are:
Independent sector contact details are;
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Why are some temporary (provisional) visas holders eligible for the grant but not others?
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 Program. However, in recognising the need to invest in Australia’s future, the Australian Government expanded the program’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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What about ‘457’ visas? Are school aged dependents of 457 visa holders eligible for Australian Government ESL-NA funding?
A. No. School aged dependents of employer sponsored temporary business visa (subclass 457) are not eligible for ESL-NA assistance. 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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I have a question about obtaining or issuing of visas….who should I contact?
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/
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