Policy
This policy sets out the requirements of the department’s International Delegations Program and provides information for schools hosting incoming international delegations.
Summary
- All incoming international delegation requests are coordinated by the department’s International Education Division (IED).
- International delegations can include visits to the department and schools by overseas government officials, academics and education practitioners.
- Schools that receive a request for a visit directly from an international delegation must advise their relevant regional office and IED by emailing the Stakeholder Engagement team: ied.stakeholder.engagement@education.vic.gov.au
- Schools must follow the Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality policy if international delegations offer a gift to show appreciation for a visit.
Detail
International delegations frequently approach the department seeking insights into Victoria’s education policies and practices through school visits, presentations, meetings, and discussions with subject matter experts. These delegations consist of overseas government officials, academics, and education practitioners.
All incoming international delegation requests are managed by the department’s International Education Division (IED). Requests are lodged either directly by prospective international delegates or via the Victorian, Commonwealth and overseas government departments, schools, or third-party agents acting on behalf of international clients. Upon receipt, IED’s Stakeholder Engagement team assesses the request and develops a program to meet the objectives of the visit and maximise strategic opportunities.
International delegations and school visits
Schools host many international delegations interested in learning about Victoria’s approach to student health and wellbeing, teacher professional development, curriculum and assessment, multicultural education, school management, and the broader Education State reforms.
Participation in the program provides schools with the opportunity to:
- share professional practice and showcase education excellence
- build international connections that support global learning and engagement
- facilitate 2-way information exchange for the mutual benefit of the school and delegates to maximise learning opportunities.
Visits which take place as part of a sister school partnership arrangement, study tour or student exchange are not international delegations and have different requirements. For more information, refer to:
Schools that receive a request for a visit directly from an international delegation must advise IED’s Stakeholder Engagement team by emailing ied.stakeholder.engagement@education.vic.gov.au
Schools must advise their relevant regional office of any delegation visit and send an optional invitation to attend the visit as regional capacity allows and dependant on the nature of the visit. Schools can contact their relevant regional office through the general enquiries email.
Gifts, benefits and hospitality
International delegations may wish to show appreciation to schools or individual staff through the presentation of gifts. Instead of a gift, delegations should be encouraged to express thanks through a simple card, letter or email. Schools presented with a gift must follow the department’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality policy.
Foreign Relations Act compliance with written arrangements
If the delegation raises any intent to enter into any written arrangements as part of a visit please contact IED at: ied.stakeholder.engagement@education.vic.gov.au who will assess compliance with the Foreign Relations Act (FRA) (2020). This includes Memorandums of Understanding, statements of intent, or joint media statements, as well as any other written agreement. Additional time will need to be factored in to ensure compliance with the Act ahead of the visit.
A visual summary of the FRA process for schools can be found at: Prospective sister school arrangement process flow for core foreign arrangements .
Related topics
Reviewed 20 June 2023