Education compliance in the United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, higher education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) are regulated federally, while each emirate also licenses training providers locally. CAQA helps institutions understand which approvals apply, prepare applications and build the quality systems accreditation looks for.
Registration. Quality systems. Australian partnerships.
Who regulates education providers in the UAE
- The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) licenses higher education institutions, and its Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) handles institutional licensure and programme accreditation.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2025 on Higher Education and Scientific Research, issued at the end of 2025, applies to all higher education and TVET institutions across the UAE, including free zones. A transition period applies to existing institutions.
- Emirate regulators license training providers locally: the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai, and the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) in Abu Dhabi.
Which route applies
- Training institute in Dubai: KHDA Educational Services Permit. See the Dubai page.
- Training centre or institute in Abu Dhabi: ACTVET licence. See the Abu Dhabi page.
- Higher education institution anywhere in the UAE, including free zones: MoHESR licensure and CAA accreditation, alongside any emirate permit.
Working with Australia
UAE institutions often deliver Australian qualifications in partnership with Australian RTOs. The Australian RTO must notify ASQA when it starts offshore delivery and report the location, and the partnership needs clear responsibility for training, assessment and student records. Setting up in Australia needs an Australian company, fit and proper people and independently assessed financial viability. See entering the Australian VET market.
How CAQA helps UAE institutions
- Mapping federal and emirate approvals for your provision
- Licensure and accreditation preparation
- Quality systems, policies and procedures
- Partnership and offshore delivery arrangements with Australian RTOs
- Australian registration for UAE organisations
We work with UAE institutions remotely and on site by arrangement, and agree the consultant, scope, fees and time zone before work starts.
Questions from UAE institutions
Does the 2025 federal decree-law cover free zone institutions?
Yes. It applies to higher education and TVET institutions across the UAE, including free zones.
Who licenses training providers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
KHDA in Dubai and ACTVET in Abu Dhabi.
Can a UAE institution deliver Australian qualifications?
Yes, in partnership with an Australian RTO that has notified ASQA of its offshore delivery.
Sources
Countries we work in
Working in Australia? See our consultancy services.