In Australia, there is a system of quality control and government accreditation for the education and training sector.
Every course offered to international students by an Australian education or training provider, Foundation studies college, ELICOS (English language) provider or school must meet the Australian Government’s strict quality standards.
All providers in Australia must complete a demanding accreditation process so that they can deliver programs of the highest standard. They must also go through regular, formal reviews within a strict regulatory system to make sure they keep meeting these standards.
Here is a list of helpful links to resources supporting Australia’s quality assured, world-class education sector.
Education and training providers in Australia must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to deliver education services to international students on a student visa.
All CRICOS registered providers must meet the requirements of the The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code).
Providers offering English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) or Foundation studies courses must also meet the ELICOS or Foundation Program Standards. See here for more information about the ESOS legislative framework.
The Study Australia Course Search tool allows students to view all available courses offered by CRICOS registered Australian education and training providers in Australia.
The Australian Qualifications Framework regulates courses delivered by Australian education and training providers. It also enables different countries to recognise Australian qualifications and issue a comparable qualification.
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia's independent quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulator for vocational education and training.
The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an Australian Government tuition protection scheme to help international and domestic students in the rare case of provider closure. The TPS supports students to continue their studies through another course or a different provider, or by facilitating a tuition fee refund for any education and training they have paid for but not received.
The National Skills Commission provides expert advice and national leadership on Australia’s labour market and current, emerging and future workforce skills needs.