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Commonwealth act
The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) is the main federal law governing how Australia regulates education providers who teach international students (people who hold a student visa).
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Direct links to the current provisions in Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000.
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View on official registerSourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Australia's international education sector is one of its largest export industries. This law exists to:
Providers who break the rules can have their registration suspended or cancelled, meaning they can no longer enrol international students — a serious commercial consequence. Criminal penalties (up to 2 years imprisonment) apply for operating without registration.