PIER provides courses and tools to help education agents provide quality counselling and advice for students.

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2 PIER PIER provides courses and tools to help education agents provide quality counselling and advice for students. Online Courses Education Agent Training Course (EATC) PIER Agents App An web app where agents manage their agency profile, connect with other agency partners around the globe, and keep informed about the latest news in the international education industry with PIER s newsletter QEA Mobile App A mobile app which lists qualified education agents around the globe

3 What is the EATC? Education Agent Training Course Free online professional development course for practicing agents and new counsellors. Provides education agents with information about the Australian education system and Australia as a study destination, and its visa regulation system. Keeps agents up-to-date about changes and developments in the international education sector.

4 What is the EATC? The course covers information needed to provide counselling to prospective students about Australian education, including the education system and international regulations, as well as Australian society and cross-cultural awareness. The course encourages education agents and recruiters for Australian education institutions to develop professional skills, knowledge, excellence in business service delivery, and continuous professional training and improvement. Registration and assessment is free and provides full access to course material. One-time payment to become a qualified education agent counsellor.

5 Why take the EATC? Agents working with Australian education institutions will need to familiarise themselves with a moderate amount of regulation relating to international education in Australia The EATC is a comprehensive introduction for agents who want to expand into the Australian education sector. EATC is supported and recommended by the Australian Government to protect against migration fraud: More and more Australian education institutions require their affiliated agencies to have completed a qualified training course to be part of their agent network. The course material was created in collaboration with key Australian education stakeholders such as Austrade, Australian Education International and Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Updated with any relevant changes to the Australian education sector: presented in clear and concise English.

6 EATC Industry Recommendations The EATC is a course that is supported within the Australian education sector: I support the promotion of agent professionalism and self regulation by requiring providers to only use education agents who: belong to a professional association where one exists; have completed an appropriate training course; and comply with their home country requirements. Knight Review, June 2011 The MIA holds its members to a strident, enforceable code of conduct, and will offer affiliate membership only to Education Agents who have completed the Education Agent Training Course (EATC) and are registered with the Qualified Education Agent Counsellor Database (QEACD). Media Release, MIA, 23 March 2010

7 Qualified Education Agent Counsellors Counsellors who pass the EATC final exam can apply to become Qualified Education Agent Counsellors (QEACs) Benefits of being a QEAC: Earn a qualification recognised by the Australian government and education institutions. More exposure from your agency listing in PIER s QEAC Finder and Mobile App Access other exclusive resources for QEACs in PIER Apps

8 Number of branch offices worldwide Asia and Middle East: 719 Australia and New Zealand: 832 Europe: 64 Africa: 12 Americas: 141

9 EATC What our successful education agents say Great course relevant, informative and very timely. All my staff will eventually undertake this and will be encouraged to do so immediately. I feel this should be mandatory for all people who deal with Australian education. I would highly recommend all my colleagues to go through the course of EATC and sit for the formal assessment. It is a good way to refresh knowledge - for those who may have been education agents for a long time already.

10 EATC The course structure Online Learning (50 hours preparation, selfpaced) Section A Australian Qualifications Framework Section B Regulations and Legislation Section C Working Effectively Section D Ethics Self-assessment tests Final Exam Online open-book 50 multiple choice questions 80 minutes Free Once agents pass the Final Exam, they will be eligible to apply for QEAC Certification (AUD $400)

11 QEAC Certification 1. START THE FREE COURSE Register for the Education Agent Training Course for free and begin studying the course material. 2. COMPLETE THE ONLINE EXAM Complete and pass the final exam of the Education Agent Training Course. 3. APPLY FOR YOUR QUALIFICATION When you have applied for your QEAC Certification, you will receive a unique badge number and certification document.

12 PIER s Qualified Education Agent Counsellors Finder Lists more than 3,500 QEAC from over 60 countries Is your agency in the Finder?

13 PIER Agents App QEACs QEAC website Public Profile on PIER Apps

14 PIER Agents App Your Profile Accessible by registered members You can manage your branch office information on the QEAC listing from the PIER Agents App. The app also provides a number of other online training materials and tools.

15 PIER Agents App Your Online Profile Counsellor Profile Name Photo Agency affiliation Qualifications Branch office details Contact details Employees Memberships Associations Where is your information displayed? QEAC Finder Agency Finder Similar to the QEAC Finder A tool institutions use to embed a list of their associated agents and counsellor offices on their website.

16 PIER Agency Finder PIER Agency Finder is part of PIER s Centralised Database that is used by industry professionals Education Agencies: Location of Branch Offices Contact details Counsellors Peak bodies Education Providers

17 Questions? 16/04/

18 Further information Website: General enquiries: Enquiries about the Education Agent Training Course: Ph: Fax: /04/