The arrangement will make it mandatory for all agents with whom GSP works to complete the EATC in a blended face-to-face and online model, incorporating the platform’s own training with PIER’s.

“This is an important initiative that speaks to our commitment to quality for our education institution partners”, GSP chief executive Elaine Starkey said.

“We will live and die by our compliance”

“If a channel partner is unable, or unwilling, to learn and demonstrate an understanding of the processes and requirements and their obligations and stick to them, then frankly they are not the right partner for GSP.”

Speaking with The PIE News, Starkey said the arrangement sought to not only ensure GSP’s education agent partners had a thorough understanding of Australia’s frameworks such as the ESOS Act and National Code but to also attract more providers to use the platform.

“We really want to engage with more providers, and the timing is perfect with the changes in the National Code,” she said.

“At the moment most agencies have to sign that [they understand Australia’s legislative requirements], but we want to make sure that they’re actually trained from one end to the other in all the compliance when they’re promoting students to study in Australia.”

Under GSP’s model, providers have an agreement with the platform and GSP takes responsibility for its agents through a three-step verification process. Listing courses and providers on its site, students are matched to education agents in their country.

Under this method, providers spend less time managing agent partners, which Starkey said meant GSP “will live and die by our compliance”.

As well as its agent facing training, GSP is also currently working with PIER to develop institutional training.