New rules on agent commissions for onshore student transfers

Australian education providers registered to deliver courses to international students are banned from paying a commission to an agent for onshore student transfers that occur after 31 March 2026 

If a student transfers to a new provider without completing their principal course, the new provider cannot pay a commission (money or any other benefit) to an education agent for assistance with that transfer. 

What counts as an onshore transfer? 

An onshore transfer is when an international student moves from one provider to another – after they have started studying in Australia, and before they have finished their principal course.  

The ban applies even if the: 

• student’s enrolment is cancelled 
• student withdraws 
• student is between courses in a package (and has not yet completed their principal course). 

Please note: A student moving to a new provider for further study after completing their principal course is not treated as an onshore transfer. For example, if a student finishes a bachelor degree and then enrols in a master’s at a new provider, the new provider can still pay an agent commission for that enrolment. 

What do the new rules mean for agents? 

Agents can still: 

• advise students who want to transfer between providers 
• charge students a direct fee for your services 
• provide free advice as part of your broader student‑support model. 

The change is that the receiving provider cannot pay a commission (monetary or in kind) for an onshore transfer.  

What is still allowed under the new rules? 

Agents can still receive commissions for: 

• an international student’s initial enrolment to study with an Australian education provider 
• progression within a packaged course, where the provider and course are already listed on the student’s visa CoEs (for example, moving from ELICOS at Provider A to a degree at Provider B, and these are the providers and courses specified on the CoEs on which the student visa was granted). 

The ban does not apply to students who were accepted for enrolment at their new provider on or before 31 March 2026, even if they start later. Providers can continue to honour existing contracts and pay any future instalments of commission for those students. 

More information about changes made to the ESOS Act regarding education agents and education agent commissions can be found here.