For partners 
Australian authorities have announced significant changes to the regulation of international education: for the coming year, the country is suspending the acceptance of applications for the opening of new private educational institutions and the launch of programs for foreign students in a number of educational sectors. According to the new regulation, for a period of 12 months the regulator Australian Skills Quality Authority will not consider applications from new private education providers or requests to register new courses from existing organizations. The restrictions apply primarily to the private vocational education sector (VET) and ELICOS language programs, which have traditionally been in high demand among international students. At the same time, public institutions, including TAFE and universities, will continue to operate as normal and are not subject to the new measures.
In addition, the authorities have temporarily paused new registrations in the CRICOS system — Australia's official government register that allows educational institutions to enroll international students on student visas. Without registration in CRICOS, an institution simply has no right to teach foreign students.
At the same time, the government has provided for exceptions: existing providers will be able to apply to add additional campuses for already registered programs — and to update courses in cases where previous versions have been officially replaced by new educational standards.
The authorities explain their decision by the need to strengthen quality control in the international education sector. The basis was the results of government reviews of the migration system and visa policy, which identified integrity issues among certain market participants, particularly in the vocational education segment. The government draws attention to the fact that the number of international students in some areas has stopped growing at its previous pace, while the number of those wishing to enter the educational services market continues to increase.
The initiative has provoked a mixed reaction in the educational community. Representatives of the private sector believe that the restrictions will affect not only problematic players, but also quality organizations that offer modern programs and are actively developing international education.
For foreign students planning to study in Australia, it is important to understand: the new measures do not affect already operating universities, colleges, and language schools registered in CRICOS; however, the decision may affect the emergence of new educational programs and private providers on the market in the coming year.
