How to Check CRICOS Courses and Australian Education Providers

A similar name is not the same record

The Department of Education states that education institutions can enrol and deliver education services to students in Australia on a Student visa only when appropriately registered on CRICOS. A provider may offer several courses with similar names, different codes, campuses or delivery arrangements.

Use the register before an application, again before accepting an offer and whenever the provider proposes a change. Save the official result and date checked.

Search by exact CRICOS course code

The strongest search starts with the course code printed on the provider’s international course page or offer. Enter it into the official CRICOS Course Search. Compare the returned course name, provider, location, duration and qualification type with the application record.

If no exact result appears, stop and clarify the discrepancy through the provider’s official channel. Do not substitute a different code because the title looks close.

Search by course name and field

If you are still building a shortlist, CRICOS allows searches by course name, level, field of education, state or territory and other filters. Results can show providers offering matching courses in different locations.

Match provider and location details

Record the provider’s legal or registered name and CRICOS provider code. A trading brand may differ from the registered entity. Confirm that the location matches the campus on the application and offer.

Do not assume that CRICOS registration for one course or campus covers every programme advertised by the provider. Registration is tied to specific provider and course records.

Read duration and course-level information

Compare the CRICOS duration with the official course structure and offer. Credit recognition, advanced standing or packaged study may affect the student’s individual duration, but any change should be documented through the provider’s formal process.

CRICOS records use course levels aligned largely with the Australian Qualifications Framework. A certificate, diploma, bachelor, graduate diploma, master’s and doctoral degree represent different qualification levels. The progression should fit the applicant’s Nepal education and career goal.

Use the TEQSA National Register too

TEQSA says students should check whether a higher-education provider is registered through its National Register. The record includes provider category, registration period, self-accrediting status and certain regulatory information.

Universities and university colleges usually self-accredit courses, so their individual courses may not all appear on the TEQSA register. This is why a Student visa applicant checks both the provider on TEQSA and the international course on CRICOS.

Check training.gov.au and CRICOS

For vocational education and training, CRICOS confirms international-student delivery for the recorded course. The National Training Register at training.gov.au provides information about Registered Training Organisations and their approved scope.

The training.gov.au record explains that an RTO may deliver nationally recognised training only within its scope. A scope entry alone does not prove the provider is currently delivering the programme at the advertised location, so confirm current delivery, schedule and CRICOS status.

Verify every component

A packaged offer may combine ELICOS, foundation, diploma, VET or higher-education components. Record the provider, course code, start and finish date, fees and progression conditions for every component.

• Each onshore Student visa course is identified correctly.
• The sequence has no unexplained gap or overlap.
• Progression conditions are written and measurable.
• Credit into the principal course is documented.
• Total package cost and refund terms are understood.
• The CoE records match the accepted plan.

CRICOS does not replace professional verification

Students targeting nursing, engineering, teaching, social work, psychology, architecture, accounting, pharmacy or another regulated field must check the relevant professional body or regulator. Accreditation may be course, campus, intake or period-specific.

Even an accredited qualification may not guarantee personal registration. English, placement, character, health, supervised practice or additional assessment requirements can apply.

Pause before paying

Verify further when an advertisement omits the CRICOS code, the offer shows a different campus, the provider name cannot be matched, the course duration is inconsistent, a recruiter promises guaranteed admission or migration, or payment is requested through an unrelated personal account.

Registration does not set your admission score

CRICOS does not determine whether a student meets academic or English entry. Check the provider’s current international admission page. IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or other evidence may apply, while Duolingo acceptance is provider-specific. Check visa evidence separately.

SAT, GRE and GMAT are not universal Australian rules. Prepare them only where the exact programme requests, accepts or values the test.

Save this evidence for every shortlist option

• Provider legal name and CRICOS provider code.
• Exact course title and CRICOS course code.
• Qualification level and field.
• Campus or delivery location.
• Registered duration and current status.
• TEQSA provider record for higher education.
• training.gov.au RTO and scope record for VET.
• Professional accreditation where relevant.
• Official curriculum, fees and entry requirements.
• Date each source was checked.

Use the Australian course-selection guide and the complete Study in Australia guide after verification.

CRICOS and Australian Provider FAQs