Every intake we counsel students who paid a deposit to an Australian provider that could not enrol them on a valid student visa. The provider was not CRICOS-registered. The money was refundable but the intake was lost. This guide explains CRICOS in plain terms.
What CRICOS is
CRICOS is the Australian Government’s official register of institutions and courses that are approved to enrol international students. Only CRICOS-registered institutions can issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), and only a valid CoE unlocks the Subclass 500 student visa application.
How to verify CRICOS registration
- Visit the official CRICOS search on cricos.education.gov.au.
- Search by institution name or CRICOS provider code.
- Confirm the specific course you plan to enrol in is listed under that provider.
- Confirm the course duration matches what the provider is promising.
Why this matters for your visa
- Non-CRICOS providers cannot issue a valid CoE.
- Without a CoE, the Department of Home Affairs will not accept a Subclass 500 application.
- Home Affairs cross-checks the CoE against the CRICOS register when assessing the visa.
How CRICOS interacts with post-study work
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa requires that the course studied was a CRICOS-registered course of at least 16 calendar months of full-time study. Non-CRICOS study does not count.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming any Australian university or vocational institute is automatically CRICOS-registered. Verify.
- Confusing university course names with the CRICOS course name. Match exactly.
- Paying tuition to third-party enrolment platforms without confirming the institution’s CRICOS code.
- Not confirming CRICOS status when transferring between providers within Australia.
Key takeaways
- CRICOS is the Australian Government’s official register of institutions approved to enrol international students.
- Verify institution and specific course on cricos.education.gov.au before paying tuition.
- Only CRICOS courses unlock the Subclass 500 visa and the Subclass 485 post-study work.
- Match the course name exactly.
- Confirm CRICOS status when transferring providers within Australia.
Related resources
See our Study in Australia hub, Australia visa process, and Australia post-study work visa guide.