ESOS Framework
Australia is acclaimed for delivering quality education to overseas students. But how does Australia maintain these standards?
With the ESOS Framework.
ESOS Act
The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 200, or ESOS Act, establishes legislative requirements and standards for the regulation of education and training institutions offering courses to international students in Australia on a student visa.
What is the ESOS Framework apply to me?
This is the legal framework for the provision of education services to overseas students. It sets out the registration requirements and the ongoing standards for education providers that offer courses to overseas students.
The framework provides a consistent national approach to the registration of education providers so that the quality of the training, and the care of students, remains high.
The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Legislative Framework is designed to ensure that Australia’s reputation for delivering quality education services is maintained and that the interests of overseas students are protected. The ESOS Framework includes the following information:
- Legislation
- Provider Registration
- Tuition Protection Service
- Standards
- Information for students
- Compliance
An overview of the ESOS Framework is available online
Does the ESOS Framework apply to me?
If you’re an international student on a student visa, then the ESOS Framework applies to you.
Protection for International students
As an international student, you must study in a course which can be found on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
CRICOS registration guarantees that the education provider you are going to study with will meet the required standards to deliver quality training to overseas students.
Your rights under the ESOS Act
The ESOS framework protects the rights of international students studying in Australia, including:
- Your right to receive, before enrolling, current and accurate information about the courses, fees, modes of study and other information from your institution and your institution’s agent.
- Your right to sign a written agreement with your institution before paying fees, setting out services to be provided, fees payable and information about refunds of course fees. Make sure you keep a copy of your written agreement.
- The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is a placement and refund service for international students, which is activated in the event your institution is unable to teach your course. Read more about this service on the Tuition Protection Service website.
The institution’s responsibilities
The ESOS framework sets out the standards that Australian institutions must meet in offering education and training services to international students. These standards cover a range of information you have a right to know and services that must be offered to you, including:
- Orientation and access to support services to help you study and adjust to life in Australia
- Contact details of officers available to help international students
- If you can apply for course credit
- When your enrolment can be deferred, suspended or cancelled
- What your institution’s requirements are for satisfactory progress in the courses you study and what support is available if you are not progressing well
- If attendance will be monitored for your course
- A complaints and appeals process
Your responsibilities
As an overseas student on a student visa, you have responsibilities to:
- Satisfy your student visa conditions
- Maintain your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of your stay
- Meet the terms of the written agreement with your institution
- Inform your institution if you change your address
- Maintain satisfactory course progress
- If attendance is recorded for your course, follow your institution’s attendance policy
- If you are under 18, maintain your approved accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements
- Follow our policies and procedures
Following is a link to a fact sheet that contains essential information for student visa holders about living and studying in Australia, including your consumer rights and responsibilities as an international student and key things you should know before and during your study.
