Applying for CRICOS approval

Before applying for CRICOS approval in NSW, you must first identify which types of courses you will be offering.  These could include vocational courses, English language courses, school courses such as senior secondary courses and the Higher School Certificate, or Higher Education courses.

The type of courses you intend to deliver will determine which sector your organisation belongs to. Your application for CRICOS approval will vary depending on your status as:

Multi-sector providers (for example a school that also delivers VET courses) are permitted to apply for CRICOS approval, and the type of application you lodge will depend of the sector to which you belong.

A CRICOS provider delivering vocational courses to overseas students must also be a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Training organisations can seek registration and CRICOS approval at the same time by lodging an integrated application via VETAB Online Services. RTOs applying to renew their registration can also lodge an integrated application for renewal of registration and initial CRICOS approval.

Existing RTOs can apply for initial CRICOS approval by completing an Application for NSW and Interstate RTOs to Provide Courses to Overseas Students in NSW. A site audit will be conducted to verify compliance with the standards.

Providers of school courses to overseas students, such as the NSW Higher School Certificate, must first be registered by the NSW Board of Studies.

Providers of English language courses to overseas students, known as ELICOS courses, must apply to, and be accredited by the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) at www.neas.org.au. NEAS passes information on their CRICOS approval decisions to VETAB for data entry into PRISMS.

Providers of Higher Education courses must apply to the NSW Department of Education and Training’s Higher Education Directorate for approval to deliver Higher Education courses to overseas students.


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