Yes, international students can complete parts of an Australian qualification online, but a course delivered entirely online cannot carry a student visa. The single most important check before enrolling is whether the provider's course is registered on CRICOS and how much of it runs online, since onshore student visa holders are capped at 25% distance study. Ask any provider for their CRICOS code and delivery breakdown before you pay a cent.
Table of Contents
- What online study options exist for international students
- CRICOS, ESOS and the 25% online limit explained
- Student visa basics and the Genuine Student requirement
- How to verify a course is accredited before you pay anything
- Budgeting for study: fees, proof of funds and Centrelink
- Choosing a trustworthy fully online or blended course
- From enrolment to class: the practical steps
- How CTDI supports flexible, career-focused online learning
- Sources
- FAQ
What online study options exist for international students
Australian providers sell a wide range of products under the banner of "online study", and they are not interchangeable. A micro-credential is a short, standalone unit of learning, often a few weeks long, that builds one specific skill but does not sit on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) the way a diploma or degree does. A VET qualification (certificate, diploma, advanced diploma) and a higher education degree both sit on the AQF and are nationally recognised when delivered by a registered training organisation or university.
Transnational education (TNE) is different again: it covers arrangements where an Australian provider delivers a course through an overseas partner institution, sometimes blended with short on-campus periods in Australia. Study Australia describes these TNE and online pathways as genuine ways to access Australian qualifications from abroad, while noting they come with different protections and delivery limits than an onshore CRICOS enrolment.
In practice, you will see:
- Short courses and micro-credentials that are fully online and do not require a student visa.
- VET certificates and diplomas, some delivered as blended programs with online theory and practical or workplace components.
- University degrees offered through TNE partnerships, often combining offshore online study with a shorter onshore residency.
- Fully online VET courses aimed at offshore learners who do not intend to hold an Australian student visa for that course.
Knowing which category you are looking at determines whether the course can ever convert into onshore study.
CRICOS, ESOS and the 25% online limit explained
The rule that shapes everything else is simple: a course delivered entirely by online or distance learning cannot be registered on CRICOS, and once you hold a student visa, your provider must ensure you do not exceed 25% of your course through online or distance learning. CRICOS registration is what makes a course eligible for a student visa in the first place, so a course without a CRICOS code is not a pathway to onshore study, no matter how it is marketed.
Students on a student visa are limited to studying 25% of their course online, according to the National Code, which means the bulk of a CRICOS-registered course must be delivered face to face.
This framework exists alongside the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, which gives CRICOS students specific protections:
- The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) helps students find another course or get a refund if a provider cannot finish delivering their course.
- PRISMS is the government system providers use to issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and report on compliance.
- Providers must meet ongoing ESOS obligations covering attendance, progress and welfare support.
Studying a fully offshore, non-CRICOS course offers none of this. If something goes wrong, there is no TPS safety net, and time spent in that course generally will not count towards a future Australian Study Requirement unless you were enrolled in a CRICOS course on a valid student visa.
Student visa basics and the Genuine Student requirement
If your goal is to study onshore, you will eventually need a Subclass 500 student visa, and Study Australia sets out the core requirements: a valid CoE from a CRICOS-registered provider, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your intended stay, proof of funds commonly referenced at $29,710 or more to cover living costs, and payment of the visa application fee. The visa also carries defined work limits while your course is in session.
Since late 2024, the Genuine Student requirement has replaced the old genuine temporary entrant test. According to the Department of Home Affairs, applicants need to show clear, course-specific reasons for studying in Australia and how the course fits their career plans, rather than relying on generic statements. Evidence that strengthens an application includes research into the course content and industry outcomes, a coherent explanation of why this qualification suits your career stage, and consistency between your study history and your chosen course level. A 5-step Genuine Student checklist can help you structure this evidence before you apply.
A practical sequence to follow:
- Confirm the course is CRICOS-registered and matches your career goals.
- Accept your offer and receive your CoE through PRISMS.
- Arrange OSHC for your intended length of stay.
- Gather proof of funds, academic records and a genuine student statement.
- Lodge your Subclass 500 application and pay the visa fee.
How to verify a course is accredited before you pay anything
Before transferring any tuition fees, run your own checks rather than relying on a provider's marketing page. Start with the official CRICOS course search, which lists the registered provider, the course's CRICOS code and its approved delivery mode, including any notes on the percentage that can be delivered online.
From there:
- Search the course or provider directly on the CRICOS register and confirm the listed delivery mode matches what you were told.
- Check the provider's ESOS registration status and ask whether they contribute to the Tuition Protection Service.
- Ask admissions directly whether a CoE will be issued through PRISMS and how the course's online percentage is tracked.
- Treat a missing CRICOS code, vague answers about "flexible" delivery, or reluctance to issue a CoE as red flags.
Pro Tip: Ask the provider to put the CRICOS code and online delivery percentage in writing by email before you pay any fee.
Our guide to accredited courses in Australia covers how nationally recognised training differs from a certificate of completion, which matters just as much as the visa question.
Budgeting for study: fees, proof of funds and Centrelink
Beyond tuition, international students need to budget for the student visa application fee, OSHC for the length of their course, and living costs, with student life in Canberra and Queanbeyan helping to provide practical context on living costs, alongside Study Australia pointing to a commonly referenced proof-of-funds figure of at least $29,710 to show the Department of Home Affairs you can support yourself.
International students are generally not eligible for Centrelink payments, since eligibility depends on residency status rather than study mode, according to a Centrelink information summary. If you later gain permanent residency, distance education students still need to meet full-time study load rules to qualify for payments. Our articles on student visa fees and international student payments break these costs down further, and study now, pay later options are worth comparing before you commit to a full upfront payment.
Choosing a trustworthy fully online or blended course
Work through this in order rather than comparing courses on price first.
- Check minimum compliance: confirm CRICOS registration, ESOS protections, TPS contribution and whether the provider will issue a CoE for onshore study.
- Assess support and outcomes: look at student support services, how much of the course is face to face versus online, assessment methods and whether the provider publishes graduate outcome information.
- Compare pricing and logistics: only once the first two steps check out, compare tuition fees, payment plans and start dates across shortlisted providers.
A course that fails step one should be removed from your list regardless of how attractive its price or marketing looks, since no level of support or affordability compensates for losing ESOS protections or a pathway to a student visa.
From enrolment to class: the practical steps
Moving from an offshore application to onshore study generally follows this sequence:
- Apply to your chosen CRICOS-registered course and receive a written offer.
- Accept the offer and pay any required deposit.
- The provider issues your CoE and lodges your enrolment in PRISMS.
- You apply for your Subclass 500 visa, referencing your CoE.
- Arrange OSHC and finalise proof of funds documentation.
- Travel to Australia and commence your course within the approved timeframe.
Keep copies of every offer letter, CoE and payment receipt, since providers must report enrolment changes through PRISMS and you may need these records later. If your visa is refused after you have started offshore study, a Department of Education factsheet notes that providers commonly advise reapplying, and some arrange written agreements allowing continued offshore study. Understand that offshore study without a valid visa generally sits outside ESOS protections and may not count towards a future Australian Study Requirement.
How CTDI supports flexible, career-focused online learning
An online training provider runs nationally recognised online VET courses in artificial intelligence, digital marketing and environmental sustainable management, built around self-paced delivery and content designed by industry practitioners. If you are weighing up an online pathway against the compliance checks above, this model may be worth considering for the flexibility and student support it offers alongside Australian qualifications.
- Self-paced online delivery that fits around work or offshore study commitments.
- Courses designed by industry experts across AI, digital marketing and environmental management.
- Dedicated student support throughout enrolment and study.
If you are applying from overseas and need a CRICOS code or CoE for a student visa, confirm those details directly with the provider's admissions before enrolling, since visa suitability depends on the specific course and delivery arrangement at the time you apply. You can start that conversation and review the one-off enrolment fee on the enrolment page.
Sources
- National Code Part C: Mode and place of study
- Maintain ESOS registration | ASQA
- Other ways to study | Study Australia
FAQ
Can I get an online degree in Australia as an international student?
You can complete parts of an Australian qualification online, but a course delivered entirely online cannot be registered on CRICOS and will not support a student visa application. Many providers offer blended programs where online components sit alongside required face-to-face or practical delivery, so check the CRICOS listing before enrolling.
What are the new rules for international students in Australia?
The main recent change is the Genuine Student requirement, which replaced the genuine temporary entrant test and asks applicants to show clear, course-specific reasons for studying in Australia rather than general statements, according to the Department of Home Affairs. Students also remain subject to the existing rule capping onshore study at 25% online or distance learning.
What is the $5,000 student grant in Australia?
This commonly refers to the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP), a one-off payment for eligible school leavers from regional or remote areas moving to study, and it is not generally available to international students since eligibility depends on Australian residency status. Always check current eligibility details directly with Services Australia before assuming you qualify.
Can I get Centrelink while studying online in Australia?
International students are generally not eligible for Centrelink payments because eligibility is based on residency status, not study mode, according to a Centrelink information summary. If you later become a permanent resident, distance education students must still meet full-time study load requirements to access payments.
How do I check if an online course is accredited for an Australian student visa?
Search the course and provider on the official CRICOS register, which lists the registered delivery mode and any online percentage limits, and ask admissions directly whether they will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment through PRISMS. A course without a CRICOS code cannot be used for a student visa application, regardless of how it is advertised.
Recommended
- $2,500 Fee: Student Visa Online in Australia for Overseas Students
- 5 Step Genuine Student Checklist Australia: Dept Rules & CTDI
This article provides general information only. Course requirements, study pathways, credit arrangements and career outcomes may vary. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant education provider or authority.