ESOS and Visa Information
An overview of the ESOS framework that protects overseas students in Australia, along with general visa conditions, visa application procedures, enrolment status obligations and student work rights.
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ESOS Framework
The Australian Government wants overseas students in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding place to study. Australia's laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are known as the ESOS framework and they include the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code 2018. Under the ESOS Framework, international students on a student visa are responsible for upholding the conditions of their student visa.
General Visa Conditions
All international students intending to enter Australia to study must apply for a student visa, except where another visa permits short-term study. Current student visa information is available from the Department of Home Affairs. Student visas are issued for full-time study, and international students cannot study part-time. Students must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees and living expenses while in Australia. From 2 October 2026 to 30 June 2027, the transfer restriction period for higher education students is 12 calendar months of their principal course. During this period, a transfer generally requires a release from the current provider or an applicable exception. From 1 July 2027, the restriction period returns to six months.
Read Standard 7: Overseas student transfers for the transfer requirements and exceptions.
If a student is not satisfying course or visa requirements, including participation and satisfactory academic progress, the registered provider, IIBIT AHE Pty Ltd trading as TITAN Higher Education, must report relevant changes through PRISMS. The student's visa may be affected. International students must complete their course within the duration specified on their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Visa Application Procedures
International students must be accepted for full-time study in a registered course and receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) before applying for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).
Applicants should check current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs.
Enrolment Status
If you’re an international student, it is a condition of enrolment that you abide by the Australian student visa regulations. TITAN Higher Education monitors your enrolment and visa status and will advise you if visa requirements are not being met. The Student Services Department must approve your enrolment in advance. If you amend your enrolment without this approval, your enrolment may be cancelled or modified appropriately.
Work Rights
You cannot work until you have commenced your course in Australia. Once your course has commenced, you are permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight when your course is in session, and unlimited hours when your course is out of session. Work that is formally registered as part of your course is not included in the 48 hours per fortnight limitation.
Student visa holders and their dependants who are subject to visa condition 8104 or 8105 may take part in volunteer work outside of the 48 hours per fortnight work limitation if their main purpose is to study in Australia and the voluntary work remains secondary to this; the work would not otherwise be undertaken by an Australian resident; and the work is genuinely voluntary for a non-profit organisation with no remuneration, in cash or kind, received in return. Unpaid work that does not fit within this description of volunteer work is counted towards the 48 hours per fortnight limitation.
If you are a postgraduate research student, you can work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight during any preliminary courses you undertake; once you have commenced your masters by research or doctoral degree in Australia, there is no limit on the number of hours you may work.
A fortnight is a period of 14 days commencing on any Monday and ending on the second following Sunday. For example, if after their course has commenced a student works 30 hours in week one, 18 hours in week two, 30 hours in week three and 18 hours in week four, the total hours worked in week two and week three exceeds 48 hours. This means the student is non-compliant with the work limitation and may be subject to visa cancellation.
Student protections and official resources
Find out about tuition protection, check provider registration and see where to get independent help.