CRICOS and ELICOS registration and feasibility
For RTOs and higher education providers entering or growing in the international student market, and for ELICOS applicants.
CRICOS and ELICOS registration, feasibility and National Code compliance.
The problem
We help you plan an international education offering, review the applicable registration requirements and prepare your application. The work can include feasibility, policies, student information, staffing and evidence of readiness.
- 01
Discover
- Feasibility: competitor analysis and the courses most likely to appeal to international students
- Free consultation on scope, agents, visa settings and campus
- 02
Diagnose
- Compliance check of every document against the National Code and ESOS requirements
- Policy framework review and website review for international students
- 03
Deliver
- ESOS and CRICOS compliant policies and procedures
- asqanet application prepared and lodged
- International student handbook, international trainer's handbook and staff handbook
- Council requirements and building approval
- Audit folder, internal audit and an experienced auditor on the day
- 04
Embed
- Rectification action plan if required
- Agent, PRISMS and reporting practices that hold after registration
Deliverables
- Feasibility report: competitor analysis, compliance check, policy review, website review
- ESOS and CRICOS compliant policy suite
- International student handbook
- International trainer and assessor handbook
- Staff handbook
- Completed asqanet application
- Audit folder and internal audit report
- Rectification action plan where required
Project stages
- Stage 1
Feasibility
- Stage 2
Policies, handbooks, application
- Stage 3
Assessment and audit
We agree the project schedule with you before work begins. Regulatory deadlines and assessment times are set by the relevant regulator.
Registering for CRICOS: what we do with you (18)
- Allocate a consultant for the whole application process
- Address the VET Quality Framework
- Address the requirements of the ESOS Act and the National Code
- Develop the submission to ASQA as a CRICOS provider
- Develop ESOS and CRICOS compliant policies and procedures
- Prepare your online asqanet application
- Develop the international student handbook
- Develop the international trainer's handbook
- Develop the staff handbook
- Meet council requirements and gain building approval
- Understand student visa requirements
- Identify international agents for recruitment
- Prepare for your ASQA audit
- Work with your team to get compliant and audit ready
- Provide an experienced auditor to attend and coach on audit day
- Develop an audit folder of everything submitted
- Perform an internal audit at your premises
- Assist with rectifications through an action plan
ELICOS feasibility and curriculum services (17)
- Quality assurance
- Regulatory compliance
- Course design
- Curriculum development
- Documentation and procedures
- Accreditation advice
- Curriculum review
- Course delivery
- Compliance reviews
- Training and development
- Evaluation and feedback
- Monitoring and reporting
- General English
- English for Academic Purposes
- English for IELTS and PTE
- English for Tourism and Hospitality
- English for Community Services and Health
Pricing
Fixed fee against an agreed scope.
Fixed fee against an agreed scope. The level of support is customised for clients with different levels of experience.
Casual consultation $185 per hour plus GST. Retainers from $1,750 per month plus GST. All prices in Australian dollars. GST is stated on every line.
Regulatory frameworks
CAQA is an independent consultancy. ASQA does not endorse or list consultants.
Case studies
Relevant case studies
ELICOS Application and Shared CRICOS Campus Planning for a Health Training Provider
A health training provider engaged CAQA on two related matters: adding an ELICOS offering alongside its VET qualifications and operating more than one CRICOS registered organisation from a shared campus.
Read the case studyRTO and CRICOSPathwayreviewed after legislative changeRTO and CRICOS Registration Pathway Review Following Legislative Change
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.
Read the case study“CAQA Resources has been the backbone of our RTO for resources. Our audit was cleared without any rectification, even when the training package was high risk. I highly recommend CAQA Resources. Sukh and Michelle are always there to assist, even on their day off.”
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can we apply for CRICOS and RTO registration together?
Yes. For a new RTO registration combined with CRICOS we can provide one, several or all of the services, from registering the RTO through to the CRICOS submission.
What do the ELICOS Standards require?
ELICOS providers must be registered on CRICOS and demonstrate compliance with the ESOS Act 2000, the ESOS Regulations, the National Code 2018 and the ELICOS Standards 2018, including a minimum of 20 scheduled course contact hours per week for intensive courses.
Changing your compliance consultant?
Send us your current scope and the last audit report. We map what is done, what is open and what is at risk, and quote only the gap. Your evidence stays yours; our fee buys an outcome, not hours.
Ask for a switch review
Discuss your needs with a senior consultant.
Free, confidential, and answered within one business day.