The Australian Government has introduced a 12‑month suspension on the registration of new CRICOS registered private vocational education and training (VET) or English language (ELICOS) providers, and any new private VET and ELICOS courses for international students.
From 19 May 2026 to 19 May 2027 (inclusive), no new CRICOS registered VET or ELICOS providers can apply to be registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
The suspension will also mean no new VET or ELICOS courses can be registered for delivery to international students, under the CRICOS system. Existing CRICOS registered providers can still add a new location for a course on their registration that has been superseded (i.e. a replacement course if an older course is being officially updated).
The suspension does not affect CRICOS registered public providers, such as government schools, TAFE institutes, and public universities.
Under the Education Services for Overseas Act 2000 (the ESOS Act), all Australian education and training providers must meet Australia’s high regulatory standards and offer high-quality programs to international students.
This temporary suspension allows the regulator (ASQA) to focus on existing applications for new CRICOS providers and courses, and to continue to carry out detailed integrity checks.
Applications submitted before 19 May 2026 will continue to be assessed by ASQA.