Overview
- The government halted new approvals for private providers on May 19, 2026, with the 12‑month pause running to May 19, 2027.
- The freeze covers new CRICOS registrations and most new ASQA applications for providers in vocational training (VET) and English‑language teaching (ELICOS), which are required to enroll overseas students.
- Public institutions remain exempt, so government schools, TAFEs, and public universities can keep applying to register courses for international students.
- Applications lodged before May 19 will still be assessed under normal rules, and approved providers can change campus locations or replace superseded qualifications.
- Officials cite integrity risks flagged by the Nixon Review and rapid market growth, noting more than 900 VET providers on CRICOS and a rise of over 35% since 2021, which could slow new private entrants and limit short‑term course choice for students.