The challenge
A provider preparing to lodge RTO and CRICOS applications engaged CAQA after a change in Commonwealth legislation altered its intended pathway. The change required certain prospective CRICOS providers to first deliver courses to domestic students for a consecutive period totalling two years before becoming eligible for CRICOS registration, subject to relevant exceptions. Official guidance confirms the two-year domestic delivery requirement for CRICOS registration, and that from 5 December 2025 ESOS applications can only be accepted from RTOs that have delivered VET to domestic students in Australia for at least two years.
What we did
The provider’s original business plan assumed a faster movement into international delivery. The legislative change affected the entire pathway. It changed timing, revenue assumptions, staffing, student cohort planning, training and assessment strategies, facilities planning, policies and financial viability analysis. CAQA prepared a comprehensive checklist and analysis identifying each affected element. The review covered the business plan, financial viability risk assessment, training and assessment strategies, policies and procedures, domestic delivery sequencing and CRICOS readiness.