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AustraliaInstitution and Provider Eligibility

Australia pauses new private VET and ELICOS provider and course registrations for 12 months

Status: Temporary measure

From 19 May 2026 until 19 May 2027, ASQA is not accepting new applications to register CRICOS providers or to add new courses to a registration, with exemptions for public providers such as government schools, State and Territory VET providers and public universities.

What changed

  • New applications for CRICOS provider registration to ASQA are suspended from 19 May 2026 until 19 May 2027.
  • Applications to add new courses to an existing CRICOS registration are also suspended.
  • According to ASQA, non-exempt applications lodged during the suspension are withdrawn and any fees cancelled or refunded.

Key dates

Officially announced
In effect from
Ends

Who may be affected

  • Exempt, according to ASQA: government schools; registered VET providers owned or controlled by a State or Territory; and Table A providers under the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
  • Study Australia describes the effect for students as no new private VET or ELICOS providers or courses being registered for international students during the suspension.
  • The suspension applies only to new registration applications and applications to add new courses.

Key takeaways

  • This is a temporary integrity measure by the regulator, not a change to Student visa requirements.
  • Applications already lodged before 19 May 2026 continue to be assessed.

What students should do

  1. Before paying a deposit for a VET or ELICOS course, check that the course is already registered on CRICOS.
  2. Be cautious of offers for courses described as 'coming soon' from new private providers during this period.

Official sources

Read the Official Update(opens Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) in a new tab — you are leaving the MATES website)

Opens the government website in a new tab. You will be leaving the MATES website.

Before you act on this

Visa and immigration requirements can change. Review the linked official government source and confirm the latest requirements with MATES before making an application decision.

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. MATES cannot influence a government decision.

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Australia pauses new private VET and ELICOS provider and course registrations for 12 months | MATES International