Council of International Students Australia


The Council of International Students Australia, or CISA, is the peak representative body for international students in Australia. CISA was founded on 7 July 2010 in Hobart, Tasmania and provides member associations with representation to the Federal government, and peak bodies such as the Australian Research Council, English Australia, https://www.acpet.edu.au/ ACPET.

Purpose

  • Advocate for the interests and needs of international students;
  • Advocate for high-quality education for international students;
  • Facilitate network building among stakeholders with interest in supporting international students;
  • Host an annual national forum for international students;
  • Provide a means of consulting and engaging with international students;
  • Host future international student roundtable events in partnership with various government entities;
  • Promote cross-cultural awareness and interactions in Australia;
  • Advocate for non-racist, non-discriminatory law reform concerning international students.

    History

Following the collapse of the [National Liaison Committee for International Students in Australia in 2008, international students lacked a legitimate and credible national representative body to advocate on their behalf. In July 2010, 52 student, ethnic and community organisations gathered in Hobart, Tasmania to formally constitute a new peak representative organisation, CISA, at an Inaugural General Meeting.
The IGM was the culmination of two years of discussion among representative bodies and international students. The process was supported by a working group of international student representatives from across Australia, convened at an international students' forum hosted in Melbourne in 2009. The 2010 Forum was hosted at the University of Tasmania and coincided with the Education Conference of the National Union of Students. Around 80 international student representatives attended, from all states and all levels of post-secondary education.

National Organisation

2019-2020
At the 9th national conference followed by AGM of CISA held in July 2019 at Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth, the new team was elected for the year of 2019–2020; the national office bearers are:
https://anuobserver.org/2020/05/23/cisa-president-resigns-amid-damning-allegations-of-misconduct/
2018-2019
At the 8th national conference followed by AGM of CISA held in July 2018 at Rydges Plaza Hotel in Cairns, the new team was elected for the year of 2018–2019; the national office bearers are:
https://internationaleducation.gov.au/News/Latest-News/Pages/Communique-Meeting-of-Expert-Members-of-the-Council-for-International-Education-24-July-2019.aspx
https://thepienews.com/news/cisa-19-work-continues-address-ongoing-issues/
https://thepienews.com/news/aus-hanson-slammed-over-work-rights/
2017-2018
At the 7th national conference followed by AGM of CISA held in July 2017 at Canberra Institute of Technology and University of Canberra, a new team was elected for the year of 2017–2018; the national office bearers are:
2016-2017
At the 6th national conference followed by AGM of CISA held in July 2016 at Charles Darwin University, the new team was elected for the year of 2016–2017; the national office bearers are:
https://www.meldmagazine.com.au/2016/08/cisa-national-executives-committee-find-represent/
2015-2016
At the Annual General Meeting in July of each year, CISA member affiliates elect national office bearers. For the 2015/2016 term, the national office bearers are:
2014-2015
At the 4th National Conference followed by AGM of CISA held in July 2014 at University of South Australia, a new team was elected for the year of 2014–2015; the national office bearers are:
CISA also has ex officio officers on the national executive committee from:
NUS: Johnny Zhang
CAPA : Walter Robbles
AFIS: Kai Jie Lim
2013-2014
At the 3rd National Conference followed by AGM of CISA held in July 2013 at TAFE Sydney Institute, New team was elected for the year of 2013–2014; the national office bearers are:
2012-2013
At the second national conference followed by AGM of CISA held in July 2012 at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, New team was elected for the year of 2012–2013; the national office bearers are:
CISA also has ex officio officers on the national executive committee from:
NUS : Ashraf Alfian
CAPA :
AFIS:
2011-2012
At the Inaugural conference followed by AGM of CISA held in July 2011 at Victoria University in Melbourne, New team was elected for the year of 2011–2012; the national office bearers are:
CISA also has ex officio officers on the national executive committee from:
NUS : July 2011 - Dec 2011 : Indrajeet Chauhan

Jan 2012 - July 2012 : Ashraf Alfian

CAPA :

Cham Ha

AFIS: July 2011 - Dec 2011 : Linna He

Jan 2012 - July 2012 : Catherine Nguyen
At the Inaugural NUS-CAPA International Student Forum on 7 July 2010 at the University of Tasmania in Hobart, the inaugural team was elected for the year of 2010–2011; the national office bearers are:
CISA also has ex officio officers on the national executive committee from:
NUS : July 2010 - Dec 2010 : Lily Yuen

Jan 2011 - July 2011 : Indrajeet Chauhan

CAPA :

Cham Ha

AFIS:

Linna He

State Organisation

As a new organisation, CISA is in the process of assisting the states and territories to organise elections for the State Divisions of CISA.