To deliver training to international students, a registered training organisation (RTO) must work within the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislative framework and be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Education Services for Overseas Students Act

RTOs offering training to international students must comply with regulations set out by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)* through the ESOS Act 2000.The ESOS Act protects the interests of people coming to Australia on student visas and ensures a nationally consistent approach to the registration of training providers.

Under the legislation, training providers need to meet various obligations. They must:

• be registered on CRICOS
• meet quality assurance standards
• comply with tuition and financial assurance requirements
• encourage overseas students recruited to study in Australia to comply with the conditions of their visas, and report those who do not.

RTOs are expected to be familiar with their obligations under the legislation and ensure relevant staff is familiar with these obligations.

CRICOS registration

Any RTO seeking to recruit, enrol or teach overseas students, or to advertise its ability to do so, must be registered on CRICOS. Initial registration on CRICOS involves:

• state or territory registering authority approval
• compliance with financial, quality assurance, and tuition assurance requirements
• payment of an initial registration charge
• registration as a user of the Provider Registration and International Students Management System (PRISMS).

State or territory registration

An RTO planning to offer courses to international students must also apply to the registering authority in the state or territory in which they operate. When the registering authority has approved the RTO and its courses, they will advise DEEWR.

Once DEEWR is satisfied the RTO has paid the initial registration fee and meets tuition assurance requirements, the RTO will be registered on CRICOS.

Tuition assurance requirements

Tuition assurance requirements ensure international students receive the course they have paid for.

To meet tuition assurance requirements most training providers have to join a Tuition Assurance Scheme (TAS). Some training providers are exempt from joining a TAS.

For more information on TAS and exemptions see ESOS Guide: Tuition Assurance Scheme. For information on how to become a member of a TAS, see the TAS operators contact list.

Registration charges

RTOs must pay an initial and annual CRICOS registration charge.The CRICOS annual registration charges is calculated as $300 base fee for all providers plus $25 for each international student enrolment each year. All registered providers must pay whether they have students enrolled or not.

Provider Registration and International Students Management System

PRISMS is a secure computer system for CRICOS registered RTOs to assist them comply with ESOS legislative requirements. It helps RTOs:

The Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs requires an eCoE as “evidence of enrolment” in a registered full-time course before it will issue a student visa.

For more information on eCoEs see visas and immigration.

* DEEWR was formerly the Department of Education Science and Training (DEST).