Australia’s Department of Education has launched its first mandatory data collection on education agent commissions paid by providers recruiting international students.
The collection opened in the Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) on 21 September 2026 and covers the reporting period from 1 January to 30 June 2026.
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)-registered providers have until 30 October 2026 to submit their returns.
The Department said all registered providers must respond, including providers that did not pay or provide any education agent commissions or benefits during the reporting period. Those providers must submit a nil return.
The data collection is a statutory requirement under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act).
Under Section 21B of the Act, the Secretary of the Department of Education can request specified information about education agent commissions provided by, or on behalf of, a registered provider in connection with the recruitment of accepted international students.
The Department has warned that failing to comply with the request constitutes an offence and may result in fines under the ESOS Act.
The new collection is part of broader regulatory oversight of the international education sector and the financial arrangements between education providers and agents involved in recruiting overseas students.
The Department has also released factsheets intended to provide practical guidance to providers completing the collection.
It said the factsheets should not be treated as accounting or legal advice. Providers with questions or uncertainty have been advised to refer directly to the ESOS Act, the National Code and official Department of Education guidance.
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