The criteria for exemption from course approval and accreditation
Courses less than three months delivered to international students
A course delivered to international students may be exempt from section 232(1) of the Education Act 1989 if the course is recreational in nature.
A course is deemed to be recreational if its intent meets one of the definitions below:
Hobby - an activity undertaken regularly for pleasure. The participant is in pursuit of a field of interest rather than an educational outcome.
Leisure activity - an action taken in pursuit of recreation. The participant aims to gain skills in the field of a leisure activity. The participant would not expect to achieve an educational outcome in relation to further or higher study, or entry into employment.
Experiential - activities involving or based on experience or observation. The participant seeks through experience or observation to gain skills associated with a field of personal interest. The participant would not expect to gain an educational outcome associated with further study or entry into employment.
Providers will need to use the above criteria to assess whether or not their short course is exempt from course approval and accreditation.
Note that pursuant to section 236(1)(d)(iv) of the Education Act 1989 all PTEs who enrol foreign students in courses of less than three months are required to make provision for early withdrawals and refunds.
Page updated: 06 September 2009