The Department of Education (the Department) has announced the first education agent commissions data collection will open in the Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) on 21 September 2026.
The collection will cover the reporting period 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026. Providers will have until 30 October 2026 to submit their return.
This is a mandatory statutory collection for all Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registered providers. All providers must submit a response. Providers with no education agent commissions or benefits to report are required to submit a nil return.
The Department has advised providers are required to report information about education agent commission arrangements, including direct and indirect commissions and non-monetary benefits. As the scope of reporting may be broader than some providers expect, providers should refer to the department's guidance materials for detailed information about what must be reported.
Failure to comply with a request for information may constitute an offence under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and attract a maximum penalty of $21,840. Providing false or misleading information may constitute an offence under the Act and may result in imprisonment. Breaches may also result in compliance or enforcement action by ESOS agencies, including ASQA, and could lead to additional penalties or other regulatory consequences. All information provided may be validated against PRISMS and other relevant data sources.
For further information about the collection, including reporting requirements, key dates, provider obligations and PRISMS reporting guidance, providers should refer to the Department of Education's website: Agent Commissions Data Collection - Department of Education, Australian Government.