A short time ago the Department of Home Affairs announced via PRISM that Minister Burke has paused the September 2024 Evidence Level changes.
The announcement reads:
Following a review of the Evidence Level outcomes for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, on 25 September the Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon Tony Burke MP, decided to pause the country and education provider Evidence Level changes that were scheduled to occur at the end of September 2024.
The Evidence Level update is now intended to occur to align with the passage of the ESOS legislation and the removal or replacement of Ministerial Direction 107, subject to the decision of the Minister.
The pause will allow education providers to revise their recruitment processes following the passage of the ESOS legislation introducing the National Planning Level. Should the ESOS legislation not pass, the Minister will determine the appropriate timeframe for application of the Evidence Level changes.
CEO of the International Education Association of Australia, Phil Honeywood, says, “There is a real danger that Ministerial Direction 107 is still going to have its negative impacts until we have clarity on the ESOS legislation. The pause in the EL levels will do nothing to clarify the status of Ministerial Direction 107.”
“It will be disappointing for those providers that have acted in good faith to enhance their standing in the SSVF program, which will now not be recognised and will likely feel more pain until MD 107 is rescinded.” He said.
Right he is.
The announcement can be seen here.
