Everything About CRICOS in Australia: Search, Codes & Courses

CRICOS is the Australian Government’s official register of institutions and courses allowed to enrol international students on a student visa. Every provider has a CRICOS provider code, and every registered course has its own course code. This guide explains what CRICOS means, how to search it, which regulators oversee it, and why it matters for your Subclass 500 visa.

Students planning to study in Australia can begin searching for various courses through the CRICOS tool. There are vocational courses, English language courses and courses offered at Australian universities to international students. CRICOS codes help you confirm that both the course and the institution are officially registered before you apply.

Know how to do a CRICOS search for courses in Australian universities here. Also, check out everything about CRICOS codes if you are planning to study in Australia soon.

What is the Full Form of CRICOS?

Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students is the full form of CRICOS. CRICOS-registered courses and institutions have a standard set of procedures for conducting their operations. They are regularly audited, and a strict system is in place to ensure the correct conduct of academic procedures. This is in turn, ensures the integrity of the Australian education system.

An institution needs CRICOS registration to offer courses to international students studying in Australia on an Australia student visa (Subclass 500). The Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate visa) is a post-study work visa, not a student visa. It does not require a CRICOS course enrolment to hold, although eligibility depends on having completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia.

Importance of CRICOS in Australia for Students

Check out the importance of CRICOS for admission and student visa approvals to study in Australia for international students:

• CRICOS registered courses are those which fulfil criteria and guarantee quality education to applicants.
• The Australian government recognises CRICOS-registered courses for their quality. Additionally, certificates obtained for these courses are recognised worldwide.
• CRICOS also serves as a database for thousands of courses and universities registered under its auspices. Thus, students can understand the course curriculum, outcomes and resources to identify which course suits their academic career best.
• Registered providers are monitored by ASQA, TEQSA or the Department of Education, depending on the sector.
• Since CRICOS courses are audited for their quality, international students can be assured of the quality of education and its acceptance worldwide.
• CRICOS code is significant for processing student visas. Upon receiving the CoE, which carries the CRICOS code, applicants can procure a student visa.

How to Use the CRICOS Tool?

The CRICOS tool provides access to courses and institutions bearing the CRICOS code and can be searched based on location, area of study, level of course study and the mode of delivery. The CRICOS tool helps navigate multiple courses and understand their descriptions, entry requirements, duration, fees and institutions offering them. Here is how you can use the CRICOS tool:

• Log on to the official website of CRICOS: https://cricos.education.gov.au/default.aspx
• You will have two options: course search and institution search.
• Click on the link based on the information you need for either a course or an institution.
• Applicants can find information about vocational courses (VET) offered by TAFE institutions or ELICOS course details as well as higher education courses.
• Applicants can also contact the respective course contact SPOCs of CRICOS offering these courses.

Students planning to study in Australia can use the CRICOS tool as a starting point for choosing their study options.

CRICOS Code for Australian Universities

The following is a list of the top 10 Australian universities and their CRICOS codes for reference in the table:

The CRICOS codes vary by institution and typically consist of a five-digit number followed by a letter. Thus, each CRICOS code differs from the other for each Australian university in question.

CRICOS Course Code List

The CRICOS course code list is extensive and cannot be listed in one go. Applicants can visit the CRICOS official website and search for the courses they wish to pursue, then shortlist the courses and institutions based on their requirements.

The CRICOS course codes follow a pattern of six-digit numbers followed by one alphabet letter. Each course will have a unique CRICOS code that differentiates it from other courses offered in the same domain.

For example,

Master of Engineering at Victoria University CRICOS code is 084876G, and the University of Canberra is 090013E. Thus, each varies from the other.

How to do a CRICOS Search for Courses in Australia?

CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) lets international students verify if an Australian course and institution are officially registered to enrol overseas students. Steps to search CRICOS for courses:

1. Go to the official CRICOS website: cricos.education.gov.au.

2. Click on “Course Search” from the homepage.

3. Enter search criteria like course name, provider name, state/territory, or CRICOS course code.

4. Apply filters like course level (e.g., Bachelor, Master, Diploma), study mode, or location to narrow results.

5. Click “Search” to view matching registered courses.

6. Review the course details, for example, CRICOS code, provider name, course duration, and registration status.

7. Cross-check that the institution is CRICOS-registered before applying, to ensure Australia student visa eligibility.

CRICOS Contact List & Details

The following is the CRICOS contact list for various education providers in Australia, especially for international students aiming to study in Australia soon:

Vocational Courses Contact Details

Organisation: Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

Postal Address:

PO Box 9928

Melbourne VIC 3001

Telephone: 1300701801

E-Mail: enquiries@asqa.gov.au

Higher Education Courses

Contact: Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)

Organisation: Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

Postal Address:

GPO Box 1672

Melbourne VIC 3001

Telephone: 1300739585

E-Mail: enquiries@teqsa.gov.au

Applicants can refer to these contact details if they require any assistance.

To conclude, CRICOS is an important aspect of the Australian education system. All courses and institutions that officially have a CRICOS code, are recognised for their quality education and acceptability across the globe. Thus, before beginning to plan for studying in Australia, applicants can use the free CRICOS tool and search for the best possible course options that fit their needs and the universities. For admission-related queries, sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a call back from our counselling team. Or drop your queries in the comments section below and we will get back to you.