CRICOS & ESOS Legal Services (VET)

International students are an important part of many RTOs’ business. Delivering courses to overseas students on student visas brings additional legal obligations under the ESOS Act and National Code. We assist vocational training providers (RTOs in the VET sector) with all aspects of CRICOS compliance and related ESOS requirements.

What we cover:

  
    CRICOS Registration & Renewals Guiding RTOs through initial CRICOS registration applications and renewals for VET courses. We help you prepare the evidence demonstrating that your courses, facilities, staffing, and support services meet the stringent requirements for international students[21]. This includes ensuring full-time study requirements (minimum 20 contact hours/week) and other criteria are satisfied. 
ESOS Act Obligations Advising on day-to-day compliance with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act and the National Code of Practice. This covers marketing and recruitment (truthful marketing, proper student information), enrolment processes (valid written agreements, refund policies), fee protections (TPS – Tuition Protection Service requirements), and student welfare (orientation, support services). 
Agent Management Helping providers manage education agents in line with Standard 4 of the National Code. We draft and review agent agreements, set up compliant agent monitoring procedures, and advise on terminating agents who don’t meet conduct standards. 
Monitoring & Reporting Establishing systems for monitoring student course progress and, if required, attendance. We guide you on using PRISMS to report student course variations, completions, or breaches (like non-compliance with visa conditions) in accordance with legal requirements. We also advise on implementing intervention strategies for at-risk students to meet Standard 8 (monitoring progress).
TPS and Student Protection Ensuring compliance with Tuition Protection Service requirements, including proper management of student advance payments and understanding provider default/refund obligations. We assist if closures or course cancellations occur, to help you manage teach-out or refunds in line with the law 
Audits & Rectifications Support during ASQA’s CRICOS audits or compliance investigations. If you receive an ASQA notice about potential ESOS breaches, we help formulate rectification plans, written undertakings, or other responses to satisfy the regulator. 

  

Why choose RTO Legal for CRICOS/ESOS matters? We appreciate that delivering to overseas students is heavily scrutinized – and that non-compliance can threaten both your RTO registration and CRICOS registration. Our advice is detailed and practical, often drawing on our network of compliance consultants for operational insight. Whether you’re applying for CRICOS or looking to strengthen your existing compliance, we provide end-to-end legal support to keep your VET college welcoming students from around the world – confidently and lawfully.