International teaching issues

ASQA understands that students studying in Australia on a student visa may be unable to meet this requirement based on the current situation. It is important that any adaptive measures during this period are documented, including reasons why a student may be unable to meet their 20 hours of attendance requirements.

All providers (whether CRICOS approved or not) with active registration are able to market to, enrol and deliver to students who are living offshore. A provider must be assured however that the course is able to be provided entirely by remote delivery to ensure all training package / course requirements or other regulatory requirements are met.

If an international student studies a course while they are living offshore, they do not need a visa for Australia. Students only require a visa when they intend to enter Australia.

VET providers must ensure they meet all requirements of the Standards for RTOs, even when delivering offshore. Where an RTO requires, either directly or through a third party, a prospective or current student to prepay fees in excess of a total of $1500, the RTO must meet the fee protection requirements that are described in these Standards.

Providers must also ensure they report TVA data accurately for this delivery, including that the delivery was conducted in an online delivery mode to students residing offshore.

PRISMS is administered by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE). The PRISMS website provides news and information which may assist providers.

Providers should continue to review information provided by DESE on its dedicated website, relating to regulatory information for universities VET, ELICOS and higher education providers.

ASQA has also released a guide to support providers to meet default obligations under the ESOS Act.