Australia is a top destination for international students, offering world-class education across a diverse range of institutions. To ensure quality and compliance in delivering education to overseas students, the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) was established.
A CRICOS Course Code is a unique identifier assigned to a course that is registered and approved to be offered to international students in Australia. This article explores the significance, structure, usage, and compliance obligations related to CRICOS Course Codes.
What is CRICOS?
CRICOS stands for the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. It is a public register administered by the Australian Government that lists:
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All Australian education providers approved to offer courses to overseas students on a student visa.
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All courses that these providers are registered to deliver to international students.
CRICOS ensures that international students receive quality education and support services that meet the standards set by the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and related legislation.
What is a CRICOS Course Code?
A CRICOS Course Code is a unique 6-digit alphanumeric identifier assigned to each course that has been approved for international student enrolment under an RTO, university, TAFE, or private provider.
This code:
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Confirms that the course is officially registered and compliant under the ESOS framework.
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Appears on the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued to international students.
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Is used by immigration and visa authorities to verify the legitimacy of a student’s course of study.
Structure of a CRICOS Course Code
Each course listed on CRICOS is identified by:
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CRICOS Course Code (e.g., 094123G)
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Provider Code (unique identifier for the education provider)
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Course Name
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Qualification Level (e.g., Certificate IV, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree)
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Duration (in weeks)
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Campus Locations where the course is delivered
The last character is often a letter (e.g., ‘G’), used as a check digit for validation purposes.
How Are CRICOS Course Codes Issued?
CRICOS course codes are issued when:
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An education provider is registered or renews their registration under CRICOS.
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The provider applies to register a new course to be delivered to international students.
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The course is assessed and approved by the relevant state or territory authority in collaboration with the Australian Government.
Once approved, the course appears on the CRICOS website with all relevant details.
Purpose and Use of the CRICOS Course Code
1. Student Visa Application
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Students must include the CRICOS Course Code when applying for a Student visa (subclass 500).
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It is used to verify that the course is eligible and complies with student visa requirements.
2. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
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The CRICOS Course Code is included on the CoE, which is mandatory for visa application.
3. Provider and Government Reference
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Helps education providers, agents, and immigration departments cross-reference course details accurately.
4. Public Transparency
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Anyone can look up a CRICOS Course Code on the CRICOS Register (https://cricos.education.gov.au) to verify if a course is legitimate and offered by a registered provider.
CRICOS Compliance Requirements
Education providers must adhere to several obligations under the ESOS Framework, including:
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Accurate Registration: Courses must be correctly listed with accurate information (course title, duration, fees, entry requirements).
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Notification of Changes: Any changes to a course (e.g., duration, delivery mode, tuition fees) must be reported and approved before implementation.
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Student Record Keeping: Providers must maintain proper enrolment and academic records tied to CRICOS Course Codes.
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Monitoring Course Progress and Attendance: Required under Standard 8 of the National Code 2018.
Failure to comply can result in:
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Suspension or cancellation of CRICOS registration
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Fines and sanctions under the ESOS Act
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Loss of ability to enrol international students
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CRICOS vs. National Training Package Codes
It’s important to distinguish between:
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CRICOS Course Code: Issued for the purpose of registering a course to international students.
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National Training Package Code: e.g., CHC52021 (for Diploma of Community Services), a national identifier used for domestic training regulation under Training.gov.au (TGA).
A single course may have both codes if it’s delivered to both domestic and international students.
How to Look Up a CRICOS Course Code
To verify a CRICOS Course Code:
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Visit the official CRICOS website: https://cricos.education.gov.au
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Use the search bar to enter the course code, provider name, or course name.
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View details such as:
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Registered provider
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Location(s)
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Course duration
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Tuition fees
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Delivery mode
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Best Practices for Education Providers
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Maintain accuracy: Always ensure course information is current and matches CRICOS listings.
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Review regularly: Conduct periodic internal reviews of CRICOS registrations to ensure ongoing compliance.
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Train staff: Make sure admissions and compliance staff are trained in using and interpreting CRICOS data.
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Coordinate updates: Liaise with your regulator (e.g., TEQSA or ASQA) to update course registrations as needed.
Conclusion
The CRICOS Course Code is a vital identifier in Australia’s international education system. It confirms that a course is officially approved and compliant with national regulations for overseas students. For both education providers and international students, understanding and correctly using the CRICOS Course Code ensures a smooth, transparent, and legally compliant educational journey.
