The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) forms the legal framework for the quality assurance of education and training institutions offering courses to international students (students studying in Australia on student visas). 

The ESOS legislative framework consists of the:

• ESOS Act 
• Education Services for Overseas Students Regulations 
• Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 
• National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students
• National Standards for Foundation Programs
• ELICOS National Standards.

Find out more on the Department of Education's ESOS legislative framework page. 

The Australian Government Department of Education administers the ESOS Act and the related legislative instruments which govern:

• the registration process and obligations of registered international education providers
• the Tuition Protection Service
• enforcement and compliance arrangements. 

TEQSA's Service Charter sets out the commitments we make to everyone who deals with us. This includes higher education providers, members of the public, current and prospective students at higher education providers, TEQSA Experts and peak bodies. View our Service Charter.

You can contact us at any time to:

• provide feedback
• request more information
• lodge a formal complaint.

There is potential for those who deal with us to be unhappy with our practices and services, so we have established a policy and process to accept and investigate these issues.

In investigating these issues we will ensure impartiality, respond in a timely manner and use the findings to improve our practices. For more information regarding complaints about our practices or services, view our Complaints about TEQSA policy.

If you are dissatisfied with a regulatory decision we have made you can make an application to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for an external review. More information is available at the ART’s applying for a review page.

If you feel that we have not acted in accordance with our Service Charter, or if you have another complaint about how we have carried out our work, you can submit your complaint to us by emailing review@teqsa.gov.au, or write to us at:

Legal Group
TEQSA
GPO Box 1672
MELBOURNE VIC 3001

If our internal complaint handling processes do not provide a satisfactory resolution, you can take the matter further by contacting the Commonwealth Ombudsman. More information is available at the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s website.

To provide us with feedback – positive or negative – email feedback@teqsa.gov.au

To make an enquiry of a general nature you can contact our Enquiries line by email at enquiries@teqsa.gov.au or phone at 1300 739 585.

The Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Provider Category Standards and Other Measures) Act 2021 gave effect to the Australian Government’s decision to implement all 10 recommendations arising from the 2019 review of Provider Category Standards.

The updated Threshold Standards, which incorporate the revised provider categories came into effect from 1 July 2021.

Between March and July 2021 TEQSA worked to implement the reforms, undertaking a comprehensive and thorough approach to ensuring the revised standards were fairly and consistently applied.

The transition was completed on 1 July 2021, and the National Register has been updated to reflect the revised categories for each provider.

Quality of Research Determination 2021

This legislative instrument complements new research quality criteria included in the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 for the ‘Australian University’ category. It provides clarity around the research quality indicators that TEQSA will have regard to in relation to an entity or provider seeking registration or re-registration as an Australian University.

• Further details

Frequently asked questions

When was the decision to update providers’ categories made?

The new standards took effect on 1 July 2021. TEQSA made a decision on this date to register providers in one of the four categories available under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. Following the decision, providers were notified and the National Register updated to reflect the revised category for each provider.

The notification followed previous communication from TEQSA to providers.

See:

• Chief Commissioner’s letter to all registered providers (12 March 2021)
• Chief Commissioner’s letter to registered providers without self-accrediting authority (8 June 2021)

Are TEQSA’s provider category decisions reviewable?

Yes, provider category decisions are reviewable. A provider can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for merits review. Merits review means that the ART considers the available evidence and determines whether TEQSA’s decision is the correct and preferable decision. For more information, visit the ART’s website.

What is CRICOS?

The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) is the official register of all Australian education providers that are permitted to offer courses to students studying in Australia on student visas. For more information visit the CRICOS website, which lists registered providers and registered courses.

Where can I find information about the ESOS transition to compliance?

In recognition of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, TEQSA approved regulatory flexibility in relation to delivery mode to allow providers to deliver courses online to overseas students. Based on a review of the current situation, TEQSA now expects the sector to transition to compliance with all requirements relating to delivery mode (under the National Code and ELICOS Standards) by 30 June 2023. TEQSA has now published answers to frequently asked questions on the ESOS return to compliance. For any further questions, please contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au. 

Who can submit CRICOS applications via the TEQSA Provider Portal?

Your organisation’s Principal Executive Officer can make a request for access to the Portal on behalf of other staff within the organisation. All requests for Portal access should be sent to cricos@teqsa.gov.au and include the names and email addresses of the users to be added. Once the request has been actioned by TEQSA, the new users will receive instructions on how to access the Portal. 

Providers can nominate more than one ESOS Application Contact to have access to the Portal but it is important that these contacts are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain current. Please notify cricos@teqsa.gov.au as soon as possible if Portal access needs to be cancelled, for example if the contact has left the organisation or access is no longer required.  

For further information on using the Portal, access our Provider Portal – Frequently Asked Questions.  

What should I do if I receive an error message or I am unable to upload documents to the TEQSA Provider Portal due to the file size exceeding the limit?

Check that the documents you are trying to upload do not:

• include a file name that exceeds 128 characters in length
• include a file name that contains any special characters 
• exceed the size limit for each file of 10MB.  

For further information on using the Portal, access our Provider Portal – Frequently Asked Questions. 

If you are still unable to upload documentation via the TEQSA Provider Portal please contact cricos@teqsa.gov.au or your assessment manager for assistance. Please do not provide links to drop boxes or other document sharing platforms.

Where can I get help in using PRISMS?

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has published a Provider User Guide for using the Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) which provides step by step instructions for performing various functions.

How do I register an ELICOS course on CRICOS?

In order to deliver an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) course, your organisation must be a registered higher education provider, or a provider that has an entry arrangement with at least one registered higher education provider. To add an ELICOS course to CRICOS, providers should submit an Add ELICOS on CRICOS application via the TEQSA Provider Portal. The application will be assessed against the requirements of the ESOS Act, the National Code and the ELICOS National Standards.

How do I register a Foundation course?

TEQSA has regulatory responsibility for all Foundation programs. Foundation programs for international students are nationally recognised courses that equip students with the skills for entry into Australian higher education programs. They provide an academic entry pathway to first year undergraduate study or its equivalent.

Please submit an Add Foundation Program/s on CRICOS application.

Foundation programs must comply with requirements set out in the:

• Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act)
• National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018)
• National Standards for Foundation Programs.

Exemption - U17s in Foundation Programs

Providers seeking to apply for an exemption to enrol students under the age of 17 (minimum acceptable age is 16) in a Foundation program, must submit an Application for exemption to enrol students under the age of 17 in Foundation Programs application detailing arrangements in place to support younger students.

The application must meet the necessary requirements, include all information requested and be submitted through the Provider portal. No fees apply for seeking an exemption.

For international students

How do I find out about course availability, admission requirements and fees?

To find out about course availability, admission requirements, associated fees or any other course details or requirements, you should contact your higher education provider directly. TEQSA is not able to provide this information.   

Can TEQSA provide advice about my student visa?

No, TEQSA is not able to give advice on any visa queries nor comment on the impact that individual circumstances may have on particular visas. For all visa enquiries, you should contact the Department of Home Affairs, or seek assistance from a student advisor at your higher education provider.

Further information

For more information or assistance, please see TEQSA’s Application forms and support page, or contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au.