The Australian Foundation programme must comply with the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and the Providers of Education and Training to overseas students 2007 (the National code) and Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.

Foundation programmes are designed to equip international students with skills and capabilities to become eligible for entry into the higher education programmes in Australia. Students can gain an entry pathway to first year undergraduate study or equivalent. The Foundation programme must meet the following ten standards : Source (Details available on http://www.aei.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/FP_Standards_pdf.pdf)

Standard 1
The programme must be based on a curriculum which prepares students for further study in higher education programme.

Standard 2
It must reflect the minimum entry requirement for Academic and English language standards.

Standard 3
It must contain a number of discipline based subjects.

Standard 4
It must contain dedicated English studies to develop English. Language proficiency required for entry to higher education.

Standard 5
It must offer pedagogies and learning opportunities that maximize student engagement and provide opportunities for regular feedback on student progress.

Standard 6
It must have compulsory assessment procedures for determining end reporting to students on academic progress.

Standard 7
Standard foundation programme must contain a minimum of 720 scheduled course contact hours over not less than 26 weeks of full-time study, and must include scheduled holiday breaks.

Standard 8
The Programme must offer students one or more demonstrated higher Education path ways, as evidence by a formal current agreement with higher education partner.

Standard 9
Teacher qualifications.

Standard 10
Marketing of Foundation programme.

The advantages of the University of Ballarat Foundation Programme are:

1. It is CRICOS registered

2. It is already accredited by Australian government and on the University's scope

3. Its core units and electives (exceeding 400 nominal hours) were designed for students going on to further study

4. The core units and prescribed electives would satisfy the requirements of the EAP (English) component of International Foundation Programmes (and even exceed the minimum standards on a range of levels).

5. The Training Packaging Rules allowed room for it to be streamed to pathway students into Business and IT first year undergraduate study from year 11 by importing a number of units (subjects) from other suitable training packages - units that would be co-delivered with the core units. These additional units would comprise the remaining subject areas of ICT, Mathematics, Business, Marketing, Management and Economics.

6. The total number of weekly scheduled course contact hours (EAP hours combined with the streamed subjects) would equate to 25 hours/week (or 990 nominal hours over the year), well above the minimum 720 hours for International Foundation Programmes, but not excessive from a pedagogical perspective.

7. The programme would run for up to 40 weeks a year and never less than 26 weeks. It would also have the required scheduled term/semester breaks as per the National Foundation Standards.

8. The units (ICT, Maths, Business, Marketing, Management, Economics) were identified and approved by the experts in the Higher Education destination Schools (Heads) and the TAFE Business & IT Services School Heads, as comparable in standard to an Australian year 12 subject curriculum, thereby qualifying students for entry into first year undergraduate study in the Bachelor of Business and/or Bachelor of IT.

9. The Programme would be delivered by suitably qualified teachers as per the National Foundation Standards and as stipulated in university agreements with ATMC, that is, appropriately qualified TESOL teachers (for the EAP/ESL core units) and TAA qualified teachers for the co-delivered units (ICT, Mathematics, Business, Management, Marketing and Economics).]

10. There would be minimum standards for entry into the programme, including minimum standards around English language proficiency and academic requirements around Australian year 11 or overseas equivalent (including specific to Sri Lankan students).

The foundation course to be offered by University of Ballarat at its Sri Lanka study centre complies with the requirements of the Foundation courses envisaged by the relevant Australian authorities.