Authorities set to ’look into’ college
A NATIONAL education watchdog says it is prepared to look into Christian megachurch Hillsong College’s entrance practices.
The Christian school has been the subject of criticism by a number of former students for asking new entrants questions about their sex lives on an application form.
A leaked video also reveals students are required to sign non-disclosure agreements preventing them from talking about some details of college life with their “own family”.
Hillsong College (pictured, inset) in the Sydney suburb of Norwest, offers TAFE and university courses in ministry and theology.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority, which oversees TAFE institutions, says it will look into claims made by whistleblowers in the Faith On Trial podcast, which was released on Sunday.
The podcast also revealed that, in a separate development, Hillsong had been referred to police by independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie over a woman’s claims that married women were taught to physically “submit” to their husbands.
Another education body, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, which regulates university courses, has also urged anyone who felt mistreated at Hillsong College to contact them and make a complaint.
“Based on information received, ASQA will be engaging with Hillsong College to understand its performance and compliance with the Standards for Registered Training Providers (2015) and the National Code,” a spokesperson for the The Australian Skills Quality Authority said
Hillsong runs its undergraduate courses in conjunction with Alphacrucis University College, which has locations in Parramatta, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and New Zealand.
Alphacrucis received almost $300,000 in government funding in the 2022 financial year, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations said.
Meanwhile Hillsong founders Brian and Bobbie Houston are starting a new life outside of the church.
Mrs Houston has been selling the former power couple’s clothes on Instagram, where a pair of Frye New York boots, which retails for “US$699” ($1025), was advertised for $499.
“Good size: 9.5 to wear with socks for size 8 women’s,” Mrs Houston posted.
An Ermenegildo Zegna suit, with an inside pocket label that says “exclusively for Brian Houston” was also up for grabs. The Houstons listed their home in Sydney’s leafy suburb of Glenhaven for $4.5m last year. Mrs Houston posted they were selling the clothes, and their sofa, because they were moving.