Approval to provide courses to overseas students - Schools
How to apply to offer a course for overseas students
Government Schools
Government schools seeking approval to offer a course of study to overseas students should contact the International Education Division of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) by telephone on (03) 9651 3700 or by email at international@edumail.vic.gov.au.
Non Government Schools
A Non-Government school wishing to deliver a course of study to overseas students in Victoria must lodge an application for approval with the VRQA. The VRQA is responsible for the approval of the school and course of study offered, and for recommending to the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) that the school and course be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Course for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
If a school wishes to offer a non-award intensive English course to overseas students, it must first seek “candidacy” status through the National English Language Training Assessment Scheme NEAS.
When to apply
Schools must apply for approval as least 6 months prior to the intended date of enrolment of an overseas student. The 6 month timeframe is required for assessment and approval of the application be the VRQA and also for the processing of the application for a student visa by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (PDF - 1.4Mb) the approval period of a school to provide a course of study to an overseas student may be up to 5 years. The process for re-approval will take place during the final year of the current approval period. The VRQA may conduct periodic reviews of schools during the approval period.
Meeting the requirements and preparing the application for initial approval
Non-Government schools seeking approval to offer a course of study to overseas students must meet all the requirements of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 (the National Code).
In addition, schools not entitled to receive funds under a law of the Commonwealth for recurrent expenditure for the provision of education or training must meet ESOS Act 2000 Section 24 and the ESOS Regulations 2001, 3.17 & 3.18 regarding contributions to the ESOS Assurance Fund. Information on the ESOS Assurance Fund is available at http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/CRICOS_Registration_pdf.
The VRQA has produced the above User Guide to assist schools in preparing their application. Print copies can be obtained by contacting the Coordinator, Overseas Students, Non-Government Schools by telephone on (03) 9651 3289 or by email at morgan.geoff.w@edumail.vic.gov.au.
As part of the approval process the VRQA will assess applications against the requirements of the ESOS Act and the National Code. When all requirements have been met the VRQA will recommend that DEEWR register the school and course details on CRICOS. DEEWR will notify the school when registration has taken place.
Tips when making an application for approval
- Ensure that you are familiar with all relevant legislation before embarking on the application. Information regarding student visa requirements can be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm and information on the ESOS legislative framework is available at http://www.aei.dest.gov.au/ESOS
- Applications must address all criteria and include all supporting evidence. Incomplete applications will be returned for amendment and re-submission.
- Policies and procedures for overseas students should be written in plain English so as to be accessible to overseas students. Flow charts are recommended to document procedures.
- some criteria that must be met will dovetail with existing school policy. In such cases, policies for local students could be adapted to fit overseas student requirements.
Changing a school’s approval status or general details
From time to time schools may wish to change the scope of their approval by, for example, adding another course or increasing the maximum number of overseas students that they may enrol. In order to do so, schools should write to the Coordinator, Overseas Students, Non-Government Schools. Requests regarding changes to contact and other general details can be forwarded by email to morgan.geoff.w@edumail.vic.gov.au
Fees and Costs
Schools seeking approval to offer a course of student to overseas students incur an application fee of $800. Schools must enclose a cheque payable to the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority with their application. Schools should also be aware that an annual registration charge is payable to DEEWR. Details can be found at http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/Annual_Registration_Charge_2008.htm.