Changing student capacity on CRICOS

CRICOS-registered providers are required to ensure that the maximum number of overseas students for a location (student capacity) reflects the appropriateness of the staff, education resources, and facilities for the delivery of courses.

Providers seeking to change the student capacity at a location or to reallocate capacity between locations, should apply to Change student capacity on CRICOS through the provider portal.

An application must demonstrate that the space, staff and education resources are adequate to support the requested student capacity, in accordance with Standard 11.2 of the National Code 2018.

Your application should consider your total student capacity across all CRICOS-registered locations. If the application is concurrent with an Intention to relocate or add new delivery site application, you may request to transfer some of your existing student capacity from an existing location to the new location. This reflects the reallocation of staff and/or resources between registered locations.

TEQSA will also consider a provider’s capacity to identify and mitigate key risks in the recruitment of overseas students.

Providers applying to increase their total student capacity should expect that TEQSA will look closely at their effectiveness in managing risks associated with the recruitment of overseas students. This will involve analysis of data from PRISMS and other sources in relation to student outcomes and the performance of contracted education agents.

TEQSA will only approve a change to student capacity where it is satisfied that all relevant criteria have been met and that the provider is effectively managing risks associated with the recruitment of overseas students.

Processing times

Standard 11.3 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018) requires providers to apply at least 30 days prior to the time at which the change to the provider’s capacity at a location(s) or total capacity is proposed to take effect.

TEQSA recognises that providers have operational and commercial interests in seeking an outcome on their request to change student capacity as soon as is practicable. While we endeavour to complete assessments as efficiently as we can, assessment times can vary considerably, depending on the:

• complexity of the application
• regulatory history of the provider
• risks identified by TEQSA
• volume of applications being assessed by TEQSA’s CRICOS team
• quality and completeness of your application and supporting materials.

TEQSA strongly encourages providers to ensure that their application contains all the information TEQSA requires to make its decision.

Given these matters, we recommend that providers allow at least 60 days from the date they make their application for TEQSA to assess and approve your application.

There are no fees to submit the Change student capacity on CRICOS application. For more information regarding fees providers must pay in relation to other applications made to TEQSA, refer to our application-based fees page.

Evidence requirements

Self-assurance report

TEQSA requires that providers seeking to change capacity at a location registered on CRICOS or to reallocate capacity from an existing CRICOS-registered delivery location submit a self-assurance report.

A self-assurance report is an opportunity for providers to demonstrate the effectiveness of their self-assurance mechanisms.

The self-assurance report should outline how the provider’s governing body assures itself of the quality of its education operations, and that it meets and will continue to meet the requirements applicable to maintaining adequate and appropriate space, staff, and resources for students at its locations, of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), the National Code 2018 and, where relevant, the ELICOS Standards 2018 (ELICOS Standards) and the Education Services for Overseas Students (Foundation Program Standards) Instrument 2021 (Foundation Program Standards).

The self-assurance report for an application to Change student capacity on CRICOS should consist of no more than 5 pages, and address the requirements set out below.

Note: All claims made in the self-assurance report must be substantiated by evidence, with reference to specific supporting documents in-text. Wherever possible, supporting evidence should be directly accessible via in-text hyperlinks, included as attachments to the report where specified, or otherwise listed in an index for later submission on request.

Key considerations

As part of the self-assurance report, providers wishing to change capacity at a location or to reallocate capacity from an existing delivery location on CRICOS should:

1. Provide evidence of how risks have been identified, managed and mitigated, and how the provider will manage these risks going forward, including areas for continuous improvement, and associated actions and measures to monitor success.
2. Demonstrate how the provider manages key sector risks in the following areas:

3. If the provider is applying to change capacity within 12 months of their most recent application, provide evidence that the change has been approved by the provider’s governing body, and that the provider has assured themselves there will be appropriate space, staffing and resources to accommodate the change.
4. Outline how the provider is maintaining robust oversight of the effectiveness of its mechanisms for monitoring the performance of its education agents.
5. Outline how the governing body is currently assuring itself that the mechanisms it has in place are effectively managing the risk that it is recruiting non-genuine students.

To demonstrate appropriate space

6. State the number of domestic students expected to attend the campus.
7. If the space will be used by any other provider, outline how the space will be shared.
8. If the location has previously been approved for delivery to overseas students and registered on CRICOS, include details of the previous provider registered at the location.
9. Outline security arrangements for the location during operating hours, including library hours or after hours.
10. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • a current signed lease for the location
    • evidence of the approved maximum occupancy for the location; if evidence of an approved maximum occupancy is unavailable, include floor plans showing dimensions of all spaces
    • a draft timetable, demonstrating how the requested student capacity will be accommodated in the space, including appropriate time for student cohorts to change between classes without exceeding the location's maximum capacity, staff at the location, and an allocation for students using common spaces at the location
    • evidence the location is approved for education purposes (9B classification)
    • floor plans that show teaching spaces, amenities, student breakout areas, meeting and staff rooms, library, counselling rooms and any specialist teaching facilities required for any course.

To demonstrate appropriate staff

Note: If your application to change capacity is concurrent with an application to relocate or add a new delivery site and is for the reallocation of capacity (no increase to overall capacity), and you are moving all existing academic and non-academic staff from your previous location to your location, please state this clearly in your application. If TEQSA has previously assessed the appropriateness of staff, no further evidence will be required to assess the appropriateness of staff.

11. State the number of full-time and casual academic staff and non-academic staff (e.g. librarian, admin, IT) and any supporting evidence to show that the number of staff will be appropriate for the projected student numbers.
12. Include data outlining the number of projected overseas and domestic students at the location over the next 3-5 years and supporting evidence to show that the number of staff, and associated resources and support will be appropriate for the projected student numbers, including student to staff ratios. Please use the following template to help communicate your workforce planning and student growth projections: SSR calculation template
13. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • a current workforce plan, highlighting plans for recruitment of new staff, staff training and induction.

To demonstrate appropriate student resources and support

Note: If your application is concurrent with an application to relocate or add a new delivery site, and all current student resources and supports will be available at your new location, please state this clearly in your application. If TEQSA has previously assessed the appropriateness of these student resources, no further evidence will be required to assess the appropriateness of resources.

14. Describe IT resources and library resources and facilities available at the location.
15. Outline whether the library is accessible and open for extended hours for ease of student access.
16. List student support services available at the location.
17. Include evidence that student support services including academic support will be sufficient to service the number of students at the location.
18. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • the provider’s critical incident policy, including emergency contacts.

Further evidence

When assessing an application to increase overall student capacity, TEQSA considers the extent to which the provider has effective systems for identifying and mitigating key risks in the recruitment of overseas students. This is primarily achieved through the integrity of admissions and student support processes and procedures, and the robust oversight of the effectiveness of mechanisms for monitoring the performance of education agents.

Where a provider meets one or more of the following risk factors, their application will include further evidence demonstrating how it is managing risks associated with overseas student recruitment and admission and management of education agents, and how its governing body is currently assuring itself that the mechanisms it has in place are effective.

Providers should provide further evidence where they:

• are in their first registration cycle, OR
• have an Agency Incompletion Rate or Agency Visa Refusal Rate greater than 5% over the median for all agencies (based on the PRISMS Agency Dashboard), OR
• have received an overall ‘high’ risk to students rating or a ‘high’ rating for student attrition in the most recent TEQSA Provider Risk Assessment, OR
• have a condition imposed on their CRICOS registration.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can I transfer student capacity between registered locations on CRICOS?

Student capacity is not automatically transferrable between registered locations. TEQSA conducts individual assessments of each registered location to determine suitability of the facilities, including the capacity of the premises in line with its existing approved capacity limits.

If a location is removed from CRICOS, its capacity will be deducted from the provider’s total overseas student capacity. Should a provider wish to increase the capacity of a CRICOS-registered location to accept students from locations removed from CRICOS, a Change student capacity on CRICOS application must be submitted. This application should include sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the space, staff and resources at the location are adequate to accommodate the increase in students.

Further information

For more information or assistance with preparing an application to change student capacity on CRICOS, please contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au.

TEQSA Commission

Our Commissioners are appointed by the Commonwealth Minister for Education based on their expertise in higher education quality assurance and regulatory practice. Commissioners are responsible for making regulatory decisions, setting strategic directions, monitoring risk in the sector and deciding on matters relating to the development of our quality assurance and regulatory functions. The Commissioners are TEQSA's accountable authority.

TEQSA's Commissioners also inform the higher education sector about our work and the responsibilities of higher education providers under the Australian Government’s regulatory system. Our Commissioners are:

Professor Kerri-Lee Krause (Chief Commissioner)

Professor Krause, former Vice-Chancellor and President of Avondale University, commenced as TEQSA’s Chief Commissioner on 7 April 2025.   Professor Krause brings extensive higher education leadership and knowledge to TEQSA, with more than 30 years’ experience in public universities and independent institutions. The current chair of the Higher Education Standards Panel (until 7 April 2025), her leadership has focused on systemic institutional turnaround strategies through enhancing the quality of university learning, teaching and student experiences, particularly among diverse student cohorts. An Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for the Study of Higher Education, Professor Krause’s most recent book, Learner-centred leadership in higher education, is a practical guide on strategic higher education leadership practices with learners at the heart.   Most recently, as Vice-Chancellor of Avondale University, Kerri-Lee successfully led Avondale’s transition from University College to University, applying lessons learned over many years of leading sector-level quality enhancement and university-wide organisational renewal and strategic improvement. Other executive leadership roles have included Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at Western Sydney University and La Trobe University and Provost at Victoria University where she led the introduction of the block model curriculum initiative and workforce renewal spanning the higher education and TAFE sectors. As Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Melbourne, she led the Student Life executive portfolio, partnering with students, heads of student residential halls and colleagues across the University to enhance the quality of student engagement, safety and wellbeing.   Her previous sector leadership includes four years as elected Chair of the Universities Australia Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) group and non-Executive Director on numerous boards. She led the national admissions transparency of higher education strategic priority on behalf of the Higher Education Standards Panel from 2017 to 2025. Professor Krause is internationally recognised for her contributions to higher education policy research and practice, including research on the evolving nature of higher education curricula, learners, academic work and implications for leadership, quality, standards and university governance.

Adrienne Nieuwenhuis (Commissioner)

Before her appointment as a TEQSA Commissioner in 2021, Adrienne was the Director of the Office of Vice-Chancellor at the University of South Australia. Prior to this, Adrienne was the Director Quality, Tertiary Education, Science and Research in the South Australian Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.   Adrienne has provided strategic leadership, policy advice and investment direction to support tertiary education, science and research in South Australia. She was also responsible for the regulation of both higher education and vocational education and training (VET) in South Australia and worked closely with the Australian Government in the establishment of the national regulatory systems for both higher education and VET.   Adrienne was an inaugural member of the Higher Education Standards Panel (2011–14) and the National Skills Standards Council (2011–13). She was reappointed to the Higher Education Standards Panel for a further three-year term in 2018.   Adrienne has been a member of the South Australian Skills Commission since 2013 and has held several roles within the Commission, including Deputy Chair of the Commission (2013–14, 2019–20) and Chair of the Commission’s Traineeship and Apprenticeship subcommittee (2013 – present). Adrienne was also a member of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (2019–22).   Adrienne has over 30 years’ experience in tertiary education and has been a member of various state and federal committees and working parties associated with tertiary education. She holds an honours degree in science and a master’s degree in education policy and administration.    Adrienne served as Acting Chief Commissioner from 11 May 2024 to 6 April 2025.

Emeritus Professor Elizabeth More AM, MAICD (Commissioner)

Professor More was appointed to the TEQSA Commission in February 2025.   Prior to her appointment to the TEQSA Commission, Professor More held a number of senior academic and leadership roles in higher education. Most recently, Elizabeth has been Chair of the Academic Board of the SP Jain School of Global Management, Board Chair of Nexus Education, and on the Council and Academic Board of Kings Own Institute. Previously, she was the Chief Academic Advisor/Director of Research at Study Group and a member of its senior leadership team. She has also served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Macquarie and Canberra universities and Director of the Macquarie University Graduate School of Management (MGSM), Managing Director of MGSM Pty Ltd; Chair of the Academic Senate at Macquarie University; Foundation Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business at the Australian Catholic University; Professor of Management and MBA and Research Director at MGSM; and Academic Director of Macquarie University’s city campus. She was also the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Management and Wellness, incorporating the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) School of Business and the Australasian College of Health and Wellness.   A past president of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management, and of the Australian Communication Association, Elizabeth also has extensive experience in governance, and consulting to both private and public sector organisations. Before becoming a university academic, she worked as a classical ballet dancer in theatre and television, and in the advertising industry.   In addition to being a member of the 2019 Australian Qualifications Framework review panel, Professor More has been on the editorial boards of the Journal of Global Responsibility, Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, Australian Journal of Communication, Journal of Communication Management, Journal of International Communication, Knowledge and Process Management, and the Journal of Corporation Transformation.   Professor More’s academic achievements were acknowledged in the Queen’s Birthday 2005 Honours List, when she received the award of Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to education, particularly in the fields of communication, management and organisational change. Her most recent research presentations and publications have been focused on change management in the non-profit sector, highlighting the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Her latest publication with co-editors Associate Professor David Rosenbaum and Mark Orr, Journeys through the Disability and Mental Health Nonprofit Sector – The Theory and Practice of Leadership, will be published in April 2025 by Springer UK. Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (UNSW), Graduate Diploma in Management (Central Queensland University), Masters of Commercial Law (Deakin University), and a PhD (UNSW).   Her recent work in the nonprofit sector has been as Chair of Flourish Australia, a Director of the Symphony for Life Foundation, and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ NFP Chairs’ Forum.

Stephen Somogyi (Commissioner)

Steve Somogyi was appointed a TEQSA Commissioner in November 2021. He has extensive global experience in the financial services, health care, higher education and prudential regulation sectors and has chaired boards and audit and risk committees.   Steve served as the Chief Operating Officer at RMIT University for 10 years from July 2006 until July 2016. He then became a Strategic Adviser to Monash University, Victoria University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Adelaide, Siemens, Queensland Investment Corporation and Energy Trade.   He has chaired complex projects including the Queen Street Precinct project to improve student experience for Victoria University. He also helped create the Net Zero Program for Monash to achieve energy savings and zero net carbon emissions by 2030 and developed a strategic approach to the Higher Education and Health Care sectors for the Siemens Smart Cities Business Unit.   He was a member of the Expert Review Group for the Australian Council for Educational Research.   Steve has held a range of senior roles in government and industry at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Trowbridge Consulting, Mayne Nickless, Bonlac Foods, IOOF and the CPI Group. He worked at National Mutual for 27 years and ended his career there as Chief Finance Executive and Chief Actuary.   His work on boards includes serving as a Commission Member of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, former Chair of Guild Group, Director of UniSuper including Chair of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, former Chair of Higher Ed Services, Chair of Course-Loop and former Director of Study Loans.   Earning a Master of Science in High Energy Physics from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Science in Management (Sloan Fellow) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Steve is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and of the Financial Services Institute of Australia.

Chief Executive Officer

Dr Mary Russell, CEO

Dr Mary Russell is CEO at TEQSA. She was appointed to the role in May 2024, having led TEQSA as acting CEO since June 2023.   Mary joined TEQSA as the Executive Director of Regulatory Operations in 2022. In this role she led the regulatory teams which manage higher education provider registration, course accreditation, compliance and regulatory risk assessments.   Before joining TEQSA, Mary was Assistant Ombudsman for Dispute Resolution at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman. She held executive roles at the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for six years, including as State Manager for Victoria, National Manager of Notifications and National Manager of Regulatory Risk Strategy. While at AHPRA, she led the development and implementation of a risk-based approach to managing concerns about the performance and conduct of health practitioners.   Mary has served as chair and member of regulatory boards, concurrently with roles as a health practitioner and a tertiary educator. She has extensive experience of university teaching, curriculum development and delivery, and has completed her PhD in Health Sciences.

Executive Leadership Team

The Commission is supported by an Executive Leadership Team (ELT) comprising the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director of Regulatory Operations and senior managers. ELT is responsible for the management of our regulatory business, corporate processes and people.

Organisation structure

Audit and Risk Committee

We have established an Audit and Risk Committee in compliance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and PGPA Rule.

• View the Audit and Risk Committee Charter

Higher Education Standards Panel

The Higher Education Standards Panel (HESP) is an expert statutory advisory body, established under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), with responsibility related to the standards for delivery of higher education in Australia.

HESP is independent of TEQSA.

• Learn more about HESP (external website)
   

This page contains resources to support institutions, staff and students in considering the potential impacts and benefits generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) tools pose for research.

Updated 1 July 2025

In the last week, TEQSA has experienced intermittent issues with our provider portal. All issues are now resolved and service has been restored.

TEQSA is aware some providers may have been unable to meet application or requirement deadlines during this outage. We will contact all impacted providers soon with more information, including the actions we are taking to ensure you are not adversely affected.

Should you have any difficulties with the provider portal, please reach out to our Provider Enquiries Team at providerenquiries@teqsa.gov.au or 1300 739 585.