Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au C2004A05119 In force Act

Legislation content

Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997

No. 18, 1997

Compilation No. 12

Compilation date: 1 January 2022

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 84, 2021

Registered: 5 January 2022

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 January 2022 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Crown to be bound

3A Definitions

4 Interpretation

5 CRICOS annual registration charge

6 Schools initial registration charge

7 Schools renewal registration charge

8 Act does not impose tax on property of a State

9 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

An Act to impose registration charges in relation to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students

1  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997.

2  Commencement

  This Act commences on the day on which the Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration of Providers and Financial Regulation) Amendment Act (No. 1) 1997 commences.

3  Crown to be bound

  This Act binds the Crown in each of its capacities.

3A  Definitions

  In this Act:

amount includes a nil amount.

CRICOS annual registration charge has the meaning given by subsection 5(2).

schools initial registration charge has the meaning given by subsection 6(2).

schools renewal registration charge has the meaning given by subsection 7(2).

year means calendar year.

4  Interpretation

  An expression used in this Act that is also used in the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 has the same meaning as in that Act, unless the contrary intention appears.

5  CRICOS annual registration charge

 (1) Charge is imposed on a provider for a year if the provider is a registered provider on 1 January of that year.

 (2) Charge imposed by subsection (1) is to be known as CRICOS annual registration charge.

 (3) CRICOS annual registration charge imposed on a provider for a year is payable by the provider.

Amount of charge

 (4) The amount of CRICOS annual registration charge imposed on a provider for a year is the amount:

 (a) prescribed by the regulations for that year; or

 (b) worked out for that year in accordance with a method prescribed by the regulations.

 (5) Without limiting paragraph (4)(b), the regulations may provide for the amount of CRICOS annual registration charge imposed on a provider for a year to be equal to the sum of such components as are prescribed by, or ascertained in accordance with, the regulations.

 (6) Before the GovernorGeneral makes regulations for the purposes of subsection (4), the Minister must be satisfied that the effect of those regulations will be to recover no more than the Commonwealth’s likely costs in connection with the Secretary’s performance of functions, and exercise of powers, under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000.

 (7) For the purposes of subsection (6), disregard the following:

 (a) costs in connection with functions or powers covered by subsection 6(6) or 7(6);

 (b) costs that are likely to be offset by reinstatement fees.

 (8) The regulations may provide for indexation of amounts specified in the regulations.

Exemption

 (9) The regulations may prescribe one or more classes of provider that are exempt from CRICOS annual registration charge.

6  Schools initial registration charge

 (1) If:

 (a) a provider makes an application under section 9 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for registration to provide a course or courses at a location or locations; and

 (b) the provider:

 (i) is an approved school provider when the application is made; and

 (ii) meets the registration requirements (disregarding subparagraph 11(g)(i) of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000); and

 (iii)  is not registered under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to provide any course at any location;

charge is imposed on the application.

 (2) Charge imposed by subsection (1) is to be known as schools initial registration charge.

 (3) Schools initial registration charge imposed on an application made by a provider is payable by the provider.

Amount of charge

 (4) The amount of schools initial registration charge imposed on an application is the amount:

 (a) prescribed by the regulations; or

 (b) worked out in accordance with a method prescribed by the regulations.

 (5) Without limiting paragraph (4)(b), the regulations may provide for the amount of schools initial registration charge imposed on an application to be equal to the sum of such components as are prescribed by, or ascertained in accordance with, the regulations.

 (6) Before the GovernorGeneral makes regulations for the purposes of subsection (4), the Minister must be satisfied that the effect of those regulations will be to recover no more than the Commonwealth’s likely costs in connection with the Secretary’s performance of functions, and exercise of powers, under:

 (a) Subdivision A of Division 3 of Part 2 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000; or

 (b) section 11 of that Act, so far as that section relates to section 10 of that Act; or

 (c) section 11A of that Act, so far as that section relates to an application made under section 9 of that Act; or

 (d) section 11B of that Act, so far as that section relates to an application made under section 9 of that Act; or

 (e) subsection 11C(1) of that Act, so far as that subsection relates to a notice given under section 10A of that Act; or

 (f) subsection 11C(2) of that Act; or

 (g) section 14 of that Act;

so far as those functions and powers relate to the Secretary’s capacity as the ESOS agency for approved school providers.

 (7) The regulations may provide for indexation of amounts specified in the regulations.

Exemption

 (8) The regulations may prescribe one or more classes of provider that are exempt from schools initial registration charge.

7  Schools renewal registration charge

 (1) If:

 (a) a registered provider makes an application under section 10D of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for renewal of registration; and

 (b) the registered provider:

 (i) is an approved school provider when the application is made; and

 (ii) meets the registration requirements (disregarding subparagraph 11(h)(ii) of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000);

charge is imposed on the application.

 (2) Charge imposed by subsection (1) is to be known as schools renewal registration charge.

 (3) Schools renewal registration charge imposed on an application made by a registered provider is payable by the registered provider.

Amount of charge

 (4) The amount of schools renewal registration charge imposed on an application is the amount:

 (a) prescribed by the regulations; or

 (b) worked out in accordance with a method prescribed by the regulations.

 (5) Without limiting paragraph (4)(b), the regulations may provide for the amount of schools renewal registration charge imposed on an application to be equal to the sum of such components as are prescribed by, or ascertained in accordance with, the regulations.

 (6) Before the GovernorGeneral makes regulations for the purposes of subsection (4), the Minister must be satisfied that the effect of those regulations will be to recover no more than the Commonwealth’s likely costs in connection with the Secretary’s performance of functions, and exercise of powers, under:

 (a) Subdivision C of Division 3 of Part 2 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000; or

 (b) section 10L of that Act; or

 (c) section 11 of that Act, so far as that section relates to section 10E of that Act; or

 (d) section 11A of that Act, so far as that section relates to an application made under section 10D of that Act; or

 (e) section 11B of that Act, so far as that section relates to an application made under section 10D of that Act; or

 (f) subsection 11C(1) of that Act, so far as that subsection relates to a notice given under section 10G of that Act; or

 (g) subsection 11C(3) of that Act, so far as that subsection relates to a matter set out in paragraph (b) or (d) of that subsection;

so far as those functions and powers relate to the Secretary’s capacity as the ESOS agency for approved school providers.

 (7) The regulations may provide for indexation of amounts specified in the regulations.

Exemption

 (8) The regulations may prescribe one or more classes of registered provider that are exempt from schools renewal registration charge.

8  Act does not impose tax on property of a State

 (1) This Act does not impose a tax on property of any kind belonging to a State.

 (2) For the purposes of this section, property of any kind belonging to a State has the same meaning as in section 114 of the Constitution.

9  Regulations

  The GovernorGeneral may make regulations prescribing matters:

 (a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

 (b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Act

Number and year

Assent

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997

18, 1997

27 Mar 1997

24 Apr 1997 (s 2)

 

Education Services for Overseas Students (Consequential and Transitional) Act 2000

166, 2000

21 Dec 2000

Sch 1 (item 2) and Sch 2: 4 June 2001 (s 2(4) and gaz 2001, No S175)

Sch 2

Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Act 2000

167, 2000

21 Dec 2000

21 Dec 2000 (s 2)

Sch 1 (item 11)

Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Act 2003

89, 2003

23 Sept 2003

23 Sept 2003 (s 2)

s 4

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (2006 Measures No. 1) Act 2006

143, 2006

6 Dec 2006

Sch 1 (items 36, 37(1)): 1 Jan 2007 (s 2)

Sch 1 (item 37(1))

Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Reregistration of Providers and Other Measures) Act 2010

10, 2010

3 Mar 2010

Sch 1 (items 27–30): 3 Mar 2010 (s 2)

Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Act 2011

105, 2011

26 Sept 2011

31 Oct 2011 (s 2(1) items 1, 2)

Sch 1 (item 14)

as amended by

 

 

 

 

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Act 2012

9, 2012

20 Mar 2012

Sch 2 (item 88): 1 July 2012 (s 2(1) item 6, 8)

Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment (Tuition Protection Service) Act 2012

10, 2012

20 Mar 2012

Sch 1: 1 July 2012 (s 2(1) item 2)
Remainder: 20 Mar 2012 (s 2(1) item 1)

Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2015

145, 2015

12 Nov 2015

Sch 4 (item 9): 10 Dec 2015 (s 2(1) item 7)

Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Act 2015

172, 2015

11 Dec 2015

Sch 1 (items 13): 1 July 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)

Sch 1 (items 4, 5)

Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Act 2021

84, 2021

27 Aug 2021

1 Jan 2022 (s 2(1) item 1)

Sch 1 (item 3)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 3A....................

ad No 84, 2021

s 4.....................

am No 166, 2000

s 5.....................

am No 167, 2000; No 89, 2003; No 105, 2011; No 10, 2012; No 105, 2011

 

rs No 84, 2021

s 5A....................

ad No 167, 2000

 

am No 89, 2003

 

rep No 105, 2011

s 6.....................

am No 143, 2006; No 10, 2010

 

rs No 105, 2011

 

am No 10, 2012

 

rs No 172, 2015; No 84, 2021

s 7.....................

am No 167, 2000; No 89, 2003; No 105, 2011; No 145, 2015; No 172, 2015

 

rs No 84, 2021

s 8.....................

am No 105, 2011

 

rs No 84, 2021

s 9.....................

rs No 105, 2011

 

Overview

The Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 (Cth) was enacted to impose registration charges on educational providers for the registration of overseas students, aligning with the administrative and regulatory functions of the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). This Act was introduced to address the need for financial resources to support the regulatory functions associated with overseeing and managing the educational services provided to overseas students in Australia. The Act was passed by the Australian Parliament and received royal assent on 27 March 1997, coming into effect on 24 April 1997. The primary policy objective of the Act is to ensure that the charges imposed on educational providers are commensurate with the Commonwealth's costs in administering the registration and oversight functions under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (Cth). These charges are intended to fund the regulatory activities and support the effective management of the CRICOS system.

Scope and Application

The Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 imposes registration charges on providers of education services to overseas students. This Commonwealth Act applies to entities that provide education services to overseas students, specifically to those who are registered or applying for registration under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000. It mandates an annual registration charge for providers who are registered on 1 January each year (CRICOS annual registration charge), an initial registration charge for schools that meet certain conditions (schools initial registration charge), and a renewal registration charge for schools renewing their registration (schools renewal registration charge). These charges are intended to recover the Commonwealth's costs in administering the registration processes and are subject to regulation, which includes the potential for indexation. The Act explicitly excludes imposing any tax on property belonging to a State. The application of this Act is extended through subordinate regulations, which can detail the specific amounts of the charges, methods for calculating these charges, and classes of providers that may be exempt from these charges.

Key Provisions

The Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 (Cth) sets out the registration charges for providers in the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). The main sections include the imposition of annual registration charges for CRICOS providers (s 5), initial registration charges for schools (s 6), renewal registration charges for schools (s 7), and a provision stating that the Act does not impose tax on the property of a State (s 8). These charges are intended to recover the Commonwealth’s costs in administering the registration process under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (Cth). Under section 5, a CRICOS annual registration charge is imposed on a provider for a year if the provider is a registered provider on 1 January of that year. The amount of the charge is prescribed by regulation or determined according to a prescribed method. The regulations must be designed to recover no more than the Commonwealth’s likely costs, excluding certain costs and those offset by reinstatement fees. Similarly, section 6 imposes an initial registration charge on a provider applying to register to provide a course, provided the provider is an approved school provider and not already registered. Section 7 imposes a renewal registration charge on an application for renewal by a registered provider that is an approved school provider. The amounts for these charges are also determined by regulation. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Providers must pay the specified registration charges when due, as outlined in sections 5, 6, and 7. The Minister must ensure that the regulations prescribing the amounts of these charges will recover no more than the Commonwealth’s likely costs, as required by sections 5(6), 6(6), and 7(6). The Governor-General can make regulations necessary to carry out the Act, as provided in section 9. Breach of the obligations and requirements set out in the Act can lead to various consequences. While the Act itself does not specify offences or penalties, non-payment of the prescribed registration charges could potentially lead to enforcement actions under other legislation, such as the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 or the Commonwealth’s financial and administrative laws. Providers failing to comply with the registration requirements or other obligations under the Act may face administrative penalties, including potential de-registration or exclusion from the CRICOS provider list, which could have significant ramifications for their operations and the ability to enroll overseas students.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Education Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Regulatory Standards
Regulatory Compliance
Offence Provisions

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