CRICOS Explained: The Register of Australian Education Providers for International Students

CRICOS is the official register of accredited Australian education providers and courses for international students. Every international student must enrol in a CRICOS-registered course to be eligible for an Australian student visa. This guide explains what CRICOS is, how to verify providers and courses, and why it matters.

What is CRICOS?

CRICOS stands for Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

It is an online database maintained by the Department of Education that lists:

• All Australian education providers accredited to teach international students.
• All approved courses offered by those providers to international students.
• Course details (course code, duration, location, level, etc.).

CRICOS is publicly searchable at cricos.deewr.gov.au.

CRICOS is mandatory

Every course you enrol in as an international student on a student visa must be CRICOS-registered. Enrolling in a non-CRICOS course makes you ineligible for a student visa, and Home Affairs can cancel your visa if you breach this requirement.

How to search CRICOS

Step 1: Visit the CRICOS website

Go to cricos.deewr.gov.au.

Step 2: Search by provider or course

You can search by:

• Provider name (e.g., “University of Sydney”, “Navitas English”).
• Course name (e.g., “Bachelor of Commerce”).
• Course code (e.g., “088120D” is the code for one provider’s MBA course).
• Location (e.g., “Sydney”, “Melbourne”).
• Course level (e.g., “Bachelor”, “Master’s”, “Diploma”, “English language”).

Step 3: Review the results

The search results will show:

• Provider name and registration number.
• Course name and CRICOS code (8-character code like “088120D”).
• Course level (e.g., Bachelor, Master’s, Diploma, Non-award).
• Duration (course length, e.g., 24 months).
• Delivery mode (on-campus, online, blended).
• Location where the course is offered.
• Commencement dates when the course can start.
• Course registration status (e.g., active, suspended, cancelled).

CRICOS course codes

Every CRICOS course has an 8-character alphanumeric code (e.g., “088120D”). This code uniquely identifies the course and is essential for your visa application.

Why the code matters

• Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will list your CRICOS course code.
• Your student visa is granted based on enrolment in a specific CRICOS course code.
• If you change courses (to a different CRICOS code), your visa may need to be updated.
• The course code proves to Home Affairs that your course is accredited.

Finding your course code

When you receive your course acceptance letter from your education provider, it should include the CRICOS code. You can also:

1. Visit the provider’s website and search for your course.
2. Search CRICOS yourself: cricos.deewr.gov.au.
3. Ask your provider’s international student office.

CRICOS provider registration

Education providers must be CRICOS-registered to enrol international students. Registration means:

• The provider is accredited by Australia’s education regulator.
• The provider meets standards for teaching quality, facilities, and student support.
• The provider complies with Australia’s international student protection laws (ESOS Act).
• The provider reports student information to PRISMS (see au-prisms-and-condition-8202.md).

Checking provider registration

You can verify that a provider is registered by:

1. Searching CRICOS for the provider name: cricos.deewr.gov.au.
2. Looking for an active status (not suspended or cancelled).
3. Checking the provider’s website for their CRICOS registration number.

What if a provider is not CRICOS-registered?

Enrolling in a non-CRICOS course makes you ineligible for a student visa. If you discover your provider or course is not CRICOS-registered:

• Do not enrol in the course.
• Do not lodge a student visa application.
• Find an alternative provider or course that is CRICOS-registered.

If you have already enrolled in a non-CRICOS course and attempted to lodge a student visa, your application will be refused.

Types of CRICOS courses

CRICOS courses are categorised by level:

Non-award courses

Some courses are non-award (not leading to a formal qualification). Examples:

• Bridging courses (e.g., English language preparation).
• Short courses (e.g., certificate in professional skills).
• Exchange/visiting student programs.

Non-award courses are CRICOS-registered and eligible for student visas, but they do not lead to a formal degree or diploma.

Changing courses and CRICOS codes

If you want to change courses while on a student visa:

Minor change (same provider, similar course code)

Example: Changing from one master’s program to another master’s program at the same university.

• Your education provider issues a new CoE with the new CRICOS code.
• You notify Home Affairs of the change via ImmiAccount.
• In most cases, you do not need a new visa application; your visa is updated.

Major change (different provider or significantly different course)

Example: Finishing a bachelor degree and enrolling in a master’s at a different university.

• Your education provider issues a new CoE with the new CRICOS code.
• You may need to lodge a new student visa application if the change is significant (different level, different provider, major gap).
• Or, you can request a variation to your current visa application.

Check with Home Affairs and your new provider about the procedure.

CRICOS and course deferral

If your course is deferred:

• Your CRICOS registration remains active (the course is still registered).
• Your CoE will be updated with a new commencement date.
• Your visa conditions remain the same (unless your visa end date changes).

CRICOS and course cancellation

If a CRICOS course is cancelled (removed from the register):

• The provider can no longer enrol new international students in that course.
• If you are already enrolled, you may continue with the current cohort, or the provider may move you to an alternative course.
• Your visa and CoE will be updated to reflect any changes.

Home Affairs notifies affected international students if a course is cancelled.

CRICOS and provider suspension

If a CRICOS provider is suspended:

• The provider can no longer enrol new international students.
• Current international students may be affected (details depend on the type of suspension).
• You should contact your provider immediately if they are suspended.

Suspension is rare and usually occurs due to serious compliance breaches. The Department of Education provides support to international students of suspended providers, including course transfers.

Important: Verify CRICOS before enrolling

Best practice:

1. Always verify your course is CRICOS-registered before enrolling.
2. Check the CRICOS code on your course acceptance letter.
3. Confirm the code matches CRICOS by searching the database.
4. Ask your provider if you are unsure.

Why this matters

• Non-CRICOS courses: If you enrol in a non-CRICOS course, you cannot obtain a student visa.
• Fraudulent providers: Some fraudulent providers claim to be CRICOS-registered but are not. Always verify independently on the CRICOS website.
• Course code errors: If your CoE lists an incorrect or expired CRICOS code, Home Affairs will notice during visa assessment and may refuse your application.

CRICOS and student protection

CRICOS registration includes oversight of:

• Teaching quality: Providers must meet quality standards.
• Student welfare: Providers must have student support services.
• Financial security: Providers must have financial systems to protect student fees.
• Accountability: Providers report to PRISMS and are regulated by the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act.

FAQ

Q: Can I study on a student visa at a provider that is not CRICOS-registered? A: No. You must enrol in a CRICOS-registered course. Your visa will be invalid if you study at a non-CRICOS provider.

Q: What is the difference between a CRICOS code and a provider registration number? A: CRICOS code = the code for a specific course (8 characters; e.g., “088120D”). Provider registration number = the code for the education provider (6 characters; e.g., “A00000”). Both appear in CRICOS.

Q: Can one course have multiple CRICOS codes? A: Generally, one course = one CRICOS code. However, if a provider offers the same course at multiple locations or with different delivery modes, each version may have a different code. Check CRICOS to be sure.

Q: If I take a break in my course, does the CRICOS code change? A: No, the CRICOS code remains the same. However, your CoE and visa will be updated with the new commencement date after your break.

Q: How long is a CRICOS code valid? A: CRICOS codes remain valid for the duration of the course (until the course is completed or cancelled). Expired codes are removed from the CRICOS register.

Q: What if my course is removed from CRICOS while I am studying? A: This is rare. If it occurs, Home Affairs will work with the provider and affected students. You may be transferred to an alternative course, or the Department may provide other support.

Q: Can I verify a course is CRICOS-registered by asking the provider? A: Yes, you can ask. However, it is best practice to verify independently on CRICOS to avoid relying on potentially misleading information.

Q: What if I find my course on CRICOS but it shows a status other than “active”? A: Check the status carefully:

• Active: Course is currently registered and accepting enrolments. ✓
• Suspended: Course is temporarily unavailable. Clarify with the provider.
• Cancelled: Course is no longer available. Do not enrol.
• Registered but not current: Course is no longer being offered. Do not enrol.

Sources

• CRICOS register: cricos.deewr.gov.au
• Department of Education: deewr.gov.au
• ESOS Act: legislation.gov.au/C2000A02826
• Student visa (Subclass 500): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-visa-500

Last reviewed: April 2026. Visa rules and charges change frequently — always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.