Agent Code of Ethics
The Australian International Education and Training Agent Code of Ethics (ACE) is pivotal to maintaining the integrity and quality of Australia's international education sector.
Introduction
Australia is committed to ensuring the highest standard of service and care is delivered across its international education and training sector and has a comprehensive international education and training quality framework to support this aim. The Agent Code of Ethics (ACE) is a critical component of this framework and provides a guide to the expected professional behaviour of individual agents and agencies working with Australian international students, parents, providers and fellow agents across the sector. The ACE builds on the London Statement’s ethical framework and provides a set of Australian specific ‘Standards’ for Australia’s education agents. The ACE also aims to support Australia’s education and training providers to meet their obligations under the National Code.
Purpose
The Agent Code of Ethics aims to:
- Outline the principles and expectations of fair and ethical conduct of Australia’s offshore and onshore education agents
- Foster best practice among education agents to assist them to provide quality services to potential and existing international students and partner providers
- Provide assurances on the quality and standard of services provided by education agents recruiting into Australia
- Build on Australia's globally recognised international education and training quality systems to further enhance the reputation of Australia’s education system.
Ethical Framework
The Australian education and training sector expects education agents to adhere to seven ethical principles, as outlined in the London Statement, that are supported by an underlying ethical framework of:
- Integrity – being straightforward and honest in all professional and business dealings;
- Objectivity – not allowing professional judgment to be compromised by bias or conflict of interest;
- Professional competence and due care – maintaining professional knowledge and professional service, and acting diligently;
- Transparency – declaring conflicts of interest to all clients, especially when service fees are charged to both the education provider and the prospective student;
- Confidentiality – respecting and preserving the confidentiality of personal information acquired and not releasing such information to third parties without proper authority;
- Professional behaviour – acting in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and dealing with clients competently, diligently and fairly; and
- Professionalism and purpose – acting in a manner that will serve the interests of clients and the wider society even at the expense of self-interest; recognising that dedication to these principles is the means by which the profession can earn the trust and confidence of stakeholder groups (individual clients, the public, business and government).