eBay Australia announced it is no longer supporting its Education Specialist program, which trained members to teach others how to buy and sell on eBay. The eBay Education Specialist program had been administered by American Research Institute's PowerU division in association with eBay.

eBay.com.au's agreement with Power University ended on December 31, 2008. All Education Specialists will be allowed to continue using the approved logo and existing materials until March 31, 2009, but Power University will no longer be hosting its website for Australian teachers. After that date, eBay will no longer allow participants to use the Education Specialist logo and materials.

eBay Australia said it would announce a new program in early 2009 that is "taking shape after a series of discussions with existing Education Specialists."

PowerU charged instructors $199 for the eBay Education Specialist Training Course "The Basics of Selling on eBay," $175 for the "Beyond the Basics" course, and $69 for the "Basics of Buying on eBay" course. Included with the training were course work, instructor packet and access to various administrative and directory sites hosted by ARI. Participants were required to pay for student manuals ranging in price from $26 - $27.25 each (plus shipping), and were required to pay an annual renewal fee for participating in the program.

Link to announcement