This policy outlines the principles and framework for establishing agreements between Adelaide University and education agents to conduct student recruitment activities, ensuring compliance with all applicable acts, regulations, and standards.
This policy provides the authority to maintain our Education Agents Procedure.
This policy applies to Adelaide University Community engaged in the development, maintenance and review of education agent relationships, both overseas and within Australia.
Adelaide University is responsible for the conduct of education agents who act on its behalf. Our education agent relationships are governed by the following principles:
We require due diligence and formal approval prior to appointing an education agent to ensure the agent meets appropriate ethical, regulatory and operational standards and acts in students’ best interests.
Education agents are only engaged where the relationship presents an acceptable level of risk to Adelaide University and demonstrates clear strategic, operational and financial value over the long term.
Education agents may recruit students for Adelaide University only where a current written agreement is in place.
Our education agent agreements will:
Education agents must demonstrate a strong reputation for quality and operate in regions aligned with Adelaide University’s strategic priorities.
Education agents receive appropriate training and access to accurate and up-to-date information to support compliance with relevant obligations.
Education agent relationships are managed in a transparent, fair and ethical manner that reflects Adelaide University’s mission, values and strategic priorities.
Education agent performance is monitored and reviewed using a risk-based approach to ensure compliance and acceptable standards.
Appropriate and proportionate corrective action is taken where performance concerns are identified or where an education agent engages in misconduct, including misconduct specified in the agent agreement.
Following review, we may renew or terminate an education agent agreement.
An agreement is terminated immediately where there are reasonable grounds to believe the education agent has engaged in misconduct.
Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.
Adelaide University Community refers to a broad range of stakeholders who engage with Adelaide University and includes (but is not limited to) all students, staff, and non-staff members of Adelaide University including alumni, honorary titleholders, adjuncts, visiting academics, guest lecturers, volunteers, suppliers and partners who are engaging with and contributing to the work of Adelaide University.
Education agent means a person or organisation (in or outside Australia) who recruits overseas students and refers them to education providers. In doing so, the education agent may provide education counselling to overseas students as well as marketing and promotion services to education providers.
Education agent relationships mean relationships between Adelaide University and education agent whereby the education agent has been appointed as an authorised representative to facilitate the recruitment of students to Adelaide University.
Student recruitment is defined as the promotion and marketing of Adelaide University by the education agent with the goal of having students apply and enrol in a university course or program in return for a financial payment to the education agent.
This policy is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.
Policy category | Corporate |
|---|---|
Approving authority | Vice Chancellor and President |
Policy owner | Deputy Vice Chancellor -International and External Engagement |
Responsible officer | Executive Director, Future Students |
Effective from | 1 January 2026 |
Review date | 5 years after date this version is approved |
Enquiries | Policy Unit |
Replaced documents | None |
Date approved | To section/clauses | Description of change |
|---|---|---|
26 August 2025 | N/A | New policy |
29 June 2026 IIEE5140POL | Whole document | Revised entire policy |
At the time of writing, some organisational details within Adelaide University are still evolving. Square brackets [ ] are used to indicate placeholders or areas where information may be refined, clarified, or confirmed. These will be updated as the University’s arrangements are finalised.
