How to become an ESOS or ELICOS provider

To become a registered provider under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), or a registered training organisation (RTO) under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVR Act), you need to demonstrate capability and commitment for becoming a quality education and training provider.  

To ensure quality VET so that students, industry, governments and the community can have confidence in the integrity of national qualifications, we apply a rigorous assessment process to applicants wanting to enter the VET market. 

Types of initial registration 

Registered Training Organisation (RTO) 

RTOs are registered under the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVR Act). RTO registration with ASQA means you can deliver VET courses to domestic students (Australian citizens, permanent residents and temporary visitors who are not on student visas). 

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) provider registration  

ESOS providers are registered under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act). ESOS registration with ASQA means your organisation will be added to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and you can deliver approved VET courses for overseas students (students in Australia on a student visa). You need to be both an RTO and an ESOS provider if you want to deliver VET courses for overseas students.

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) provider registration 

ELICOS registration with ASQA means you can deliver ELICOS courses for overseas students. You need to be an ESOS provider to deliver ELICOS courses. You can find out more about ELICOS in English-language courses (ELICOS). 

Who should apply for initial registration with ASQA 

ESOS provider registration 

You can apply to ASQA for initial ESOS registration if you are an existing RTO seeking initial registration as an ESOS provider to offer VET courses for overseas students in Australia on a student visa. 

From 5 December 2025, applicants will only be accepted for ESOS registration from RTOs that have been delivering VET to domestic students in Australia for at least two years. Refer to the Department of Education’s Fact Sheet for more information. 

ELICOS provider registration  

You should apply to ASQA for initial registration as an ELICOS provider if you are: 

• an existing RTO seeking initial registration as an ESOS provider to offer ELICOS courses for overseas students
• a new applicant seeking initial registration as an ESOS provider to deliver only ELICOS courses.  

We do not regulate ELICOS courses that are delivered by an ESOS provider operating as: 

• a school—in this case, you should apply to 'the relevant state regulatory body'
• a higher education provider or as part of a pathway program for entry into a higher education institution—in this case, you should apply to the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA). 

RTO registration 

You should apply to ASQA for initial RTO registration if you are seeking to deliver VET courses in the ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA or TAS for domestic students (Australian citizens, permanent residents and temporary visitors who are not on student visas).  

Applicants with a principal place of business in Victoria or Western Australia can only apply for registration with ASQA if they will be offering courses:  

• in a state or territory other than Victoria or Western Australia, including by offering courses online, and/or  
• to overseas students. 

Applicants who are seeking to deliver VET courses only in Victoria should apply for registration with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).  

Applicants who are seeking to deliver VET courses only in WA should apply for registration with the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council (TAC).