Maintain CRICOS registration (international student providers)
Providers offering education to overseas students must be CRICOS-registered and comply with the National Code 2018.
Who must comply
Schools, VET providers (registered training organisations), ELICOS and foundation program providers, and higher education providers that enrol or deliver courses to overseas students on student visas, including dual-sector providers, which apply to TEQSA for higher education courses and to ASQA for VET courses.
What triggers it
Offering, marketing or delivering a course to a student in Australia on a student visa, or recruiting overseas students through education agents.
When due
Registration before enrolling any overseas student; continuous compliance with the National Code; renewal through the ESOS agency (schools through their designated State authority). New applications to ASQA for CRICOS registrations and courses are suspended from 19 May 2026 to 19 May 2027, and the National Code transfer restriction period is temporarily 12 months until 30 June 2027.
Evidence required
CRICOS registration and course listings; written agreements with students; education agent agreements and commission records; course progress and attendance monitoring; complaints and appeals records; PRISMS enrolment reporting; English language proficiency assessments; DSA assessment or recommendation certificates for schools.
Max penalty
Breaches of the ESOS Act are treated seriously and penalties can be significant. ESOS agencies make registration decisions and monitor compliance, registration is cancelled automatically after 12 consecutive months without onshore overseas students, and the Minister can cancel classes of courses by legislative instrument
Who must comply with this? The applicability test by industry, business structure and size.
Summary
Only education institutions registered under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) can enrol and teach students in Australia on a student visa. Registered providers must meet the ESOS Act and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018, plus the ELICOS Standards 2018 or Foundation Program Standards where they deliver those courses. Registration is decided and monitored by the ESOS agency for the sector: ASQA for VET and most ELICOS, TEQSA for higher education, and the Secretary of the Department of Education for schools on the recommendation of a designated State authority. The 2025 integrity amendments added fit and proper provider tests covering links with education agents, require most new VET providers (other than TAFEs) to deliver to domestic students for two years before applying, and cancel a provider's registration automatically if it teaches no overseas student onshore for 12 consecutive months. A January 2026 National Code change bans education agent commissions on onshore transfers.
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Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with CRICOS registration (international student providers)?
- Schools, VET providers (registered training organisations), ELICOS and foundation program providers, and higher education providers that enrol or deliver courses to overseas students on student visas, including dual-sector providers, which apply to TEQSA for higher education courses and to ASQA for VET courses.
- What triggers CRICOS registration (international student providers)?
- Offering, marketing or delivering a course to a student in Australia on a student visa, or recruiting overseas students through education agents.
- When is CRICOS registration (international student providers) due?
- Registration before enrolling any overseas student; continuous compliance with the National Code; renewal through the ESOS agency (schools through their designated State authority). New applications to ASQA for CRICOS registrations and courses are suspended from 19 May 2026 to 19 May 2027, and the National Code transfer restriction period is temporarily 12 months until 30 June 2027.
- What is the maximum penalty for CRICOS registration (international student providers)?
- Breaches of the ESOS Act are treated seriously and penalties can be significant. ESOS agencies make registration decisions and monitor compliance, registration is cancelled automatically after 12 consecutive months without onshore overseas students, and the Minister can cancel classes of courses by legislative instrument
- What evidence is required for CRICOS registration (international student providers)?
- CRICOS registration and course listings; written agreements with students; education agent agreements and commission records; course progress and attendance monitoring; complaints and appeals records; PRISMS enrolment reporting; English language proficiency assessments; DSA assessment or recommendation certificates for schools.
Source: https://www.education.gov.au/esos-framework/registration-cricos. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.