VET providers - preparing to lodge a CRICOS application

Before lodging an application for CRICOS approval, VET providers must read, understand and ensure that their organisations are compliant with the following guidelines and legislation:

If you are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) intending to deliver vocational courses to overseas students, you must also demonstrate that you comply and operate in accordance with:

  • the AQTF Essential Standards for Registration
  • the AQTF Conditions of Registration.

AQTF 2007 documents, including the AQTF 2007 Users’ Guide to the Essential Standards for Registration, can be can be downloaded from training.com.au

Providers must ensure that they have, and are implementing, all the necessary policies and procedures in order to demonstrate compliance with the relevant legislation and guidelines. At the point of application, applicants are expected to be fully compliant with the requirements of the above legislation. It is critical that an RTO’s educational resources and materials are fully compliant with AQTF 2007 requirements before the RTO commits to large capital costs, such as rental of premises.

VETAB strongly recommends that you attend the Providing Courses to Overseas Students Workshops prior to lodging your application for registration. The workshops provide important information about the AQTF, the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act and the National Code and the application process which will help you correctly prepare your application and avoid delays.

Staged audit

CRICOS applicants will undergo a staged audit process. Applicants only need to provide evidence for stage 1 audit with their application. The focus of stage 1 is on the AQTF 2007 standards in the context of delivery of services to overseas students. The focus of stage 2 audit is the National Code requirements including demonstrating adequate premises, equipment and staff. For more information please see the Initial Application Guide.

You are strongly encouraged to attend a CRICOS Workshop prior to lodging your application for CRICOS approval. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)’s Australian Education International website contains information on the ESOS framework, including fact sheets detailing specific regulatory requirements.

Providers wishing to gain CRICOS approval should also be aware of their obligations in relation to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC)’s.

Integrated applications

If you are applying for registration as a NSW training organisation at the same as applying for approval as a CRICOS provider, please visit Applying for Registration for more information.

Note:

  • where significant non compliances are identified at audit, an application for initial CRICOS approval will be refused.  For more information including examples of significant non compliances please see Initial Application Guide.

Existing RTOs applying for CRICOS approval

If you are an existing RTO applying for initial CRICOS approval for nationally recognised training that is already on your scope of registration, you should complete the Application For NSW And Interstate RTOs To Provide Courses To Overseas Students In NSW.

Fees

Application fees are payable for initial CRICOS approval. For details see Initial CRICOS approval fees. Annual fees based on the number of courses delivered in each sector are also payable.


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