CRICOS registered providers are required to ensure that the maximum number of overseas students for a location (student capacity) reflects the appropriateness of the staff, education resources, and facilities for the delivery of courses. Providers should submit an application to Change student capacity on CRICOS through the provider portal when seeking to change the student capacity at a location, or to reallocate capacity between locations. In your application, you should demonstrate that the space, staff, and education resources are adequate to support the requested student capacity, in accordance with Standard 11.2.
Your application should also take into consideration your total student capacity. If the application is concurrent with an Intention to relocate or add new delivery site application, you may request to transfer some of your existing student capacity from an existing location to the location. This reflects the reallocation of staff and/or resources between registered locations.
Applications to Change student capacity on CRICOS should be submitted as soon as practicable and at least 30 days prior to the intended commencement date for delivery at the location, in accordance with Standard 11.3. This is to ensure sufficient time for TEQSA to assess the application prior to commencement. If the application is incomplete or includes insufficient evidence, TEQSA may request additional information, which may delay the assessment.
TEQSA takes a risk management approach when assessing applications to increase student capacity. Where a provider has a limited track record of managing student capacity, or where a significant proportion of existing capacity is unused, TEQSA would require substantial evidence demonstrating the need for the additional capacity, and evidence of how the provider will ensure adequate staff, education resources, and facilities as student numbers increase.
Please note that there are no fees to submit the Change student capacity on CRICOS application. For more information regarding fees providers must pay in relation to applications made to TEQSA, please refer to our application-based fees page.
The following sections outline the evidence requirements to demonstrate appropriate space, staff, and resources for students, in accordance with Standard 11.2.
To demonstrate appropriate space
To change capacity at a location or to reallocate capacity from an existing delivery location, TEQSA requires the following evidence:
- a current signed lease for the location
- evidence of the approved maximum occupancy for the location
- evidence of the location’s approval for education purposes (9B classification)
- floor plans that show teaching spaces, amenities, student breakout area, meeting and staff rooms, library, counselling rooms and any specialist teaching facilities required for any course; if evidence of an approved maximum occupancy is unavailable, ensure floor plans show the dimensions of all spaces
- a draft timetable, demonstrating how the requested student capacity will be accommodated in the space, including appropriate time for student cohorts to change between classes without exceeding the location's maximum capacity, staff at the location, and an allocation for students using common spaces at the location
- security arrangements for the location for operating hours, including library hours or after hours
- if the space will be used by any other provider, outline how the space will be shared
- the number of domestic students expected to attend the campus.
If your location has previously been approved for delivery to overseas students and registered on CRICOS, TEQSA will only require the following evidence in relation to the appropriateness of space:
- details of the previous registered provider at the location
- current lease for the location
- evidence of the approved maximum occupancy for the location
- if evidence of an approved maximum occupancy is unavailable, include floor plans showing dimensions of all spaces
- a draft timetable, demonstrating how the requested student capacity will be accommodated in the space
- if the space will be used by any other provider, outline how the space will be shared
- the number of domestic students expected to attend the campus.
To demonstrate appropriate staff
To change capacity at a location or to reallocate capacity from an existing delivery location, TEQSA requires the following evidence:
- current workforce plan, highlighting plans for recruitment of new staff, staff training and induction
- number of fulltime and casual academic staff and non-academic staff (e.g. librarian, admin, IT) and any supporting evidence to show that the number of staff will be appropriate for the projected student numbers
- current student to staff ratio.
If your application to change capacity is concurrent with an application to relocate and is for the reallocation of capacity (no increase to overall capacity), and you are moving all existing academic and non-academic staff from your previous location to your location, please state this clearly in your application. If TEQSA has previously assessed the appropriateness of staff, no further evidence will be required to assess the appropriateness of staff.
To demonstrate appropriate student resources and support
To change capacity at a location or to reallocate capacity from an existing delivery location, TEQSA requires the following evidence:
- description of IT resources and library resources and facilities available at the location
- list of student support services available at the location
- critical incident policy.
If your application is concurrent with an application to relocate, and all current student resources and supports will be available at your location, please state this clearly in your application. If TEQSA has previously assessed the appropriateness of these student resources, no further evidence will be required to assess the appropriateness of resources.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I transfer student capacity between registered locations on CRICOS?
Student capacity is not automatically transferrable between registered locations. TEQSA conducts individual assessments of each registered location to determine suitability of the facilities, including the capacity of the premises in line with its existing approved capacity limits. If a location is removed from CRICOS, its capacity will be deducted from the provider’s total overseas student capacity. Should a provider wish to increase the capacity of a CRICOS registered location to accept students from locations removed from CRICOS, a Change student capacity on CRICOS application must be submitted. This application should include sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the space, staff and resources at the location are adequate to accommodate the increase in students.
Further information
For more information or assistance applying to change capacity, please contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au.
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