The biggest achievement of the Australian economy is its educational system. The education system
here offers over 12,000 courses that are internationally recognized and of world-class standards.
Ranked third in the number of international students studying in English speaking countries.
You can study at all levels of education from primary and secondary school, to vocational education
and training (VET), from English language courses to higher education (including universities). And
regardless of what you are studying or how long you are studying for, Australia’s laws promote
quality education and protection for international students.
This includes 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 (National Code). These provide
nationally consistent standards for providers of education and training for international students.
As an international student on a student visa, you must study with an institution and in a course that is
registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
(CRICOS). CRICOS registration guarantees that the course and the institution at which you study
meet the high standards expected by international students. You can search for courses and
institutions here on the Study in Australia website.
Along with the ESOS Act and National Code, there are also regulatory and quality assurance
organizations for higher education and VET institutions. These government organizations are
responsible for registration/re-registration of institutions and accreditation/re-accreditation of courses.
These organizations are:
Higher education - Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
VET - Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)