When an ELICOS college, RTO, or university stops delivering your course, the Tuition Protection Service gives international students a legal right to either a place in a comparable course or a full refund — but you have to know how to activate it.
What the TPS Actually Guarantees
The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an Australian Government scheme established under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, designed specifically to protect international students if their education provider is unable to fully deliver their course — whether due to the provider closing entirely, having its CRICOS registration cancelled, or ceasing to offer the specific course. The TPS gives affected students a choice between two remedies: placement in a similar course with another provider at no extra cost, or a refund of unspent prepaid tuition fees, if a suitable alternative placement isn't offered or the student doesn't want it.
The Process, Step by Step
- Your provider is legally required to notify TPS and affected students of a "provider default" as soon as it occurs — this triggers the formal TPS process.
- TPS will contact affected students directly with information about their options and how to proceed.
- Students choosing placement will be offered options with an alternative provider; students choosing a refund will have this processed according to TPS's standard procedures.
- Students should also independently check their visa status with the Department of Home Affairs, since a provider default can affect visa conditions and requires prompt attention alongside the TPS process itself.
Only prepaid fees for tuition not yet delivered are covered — fees for study you've already received aren't refundable through this scheme, since you already received that portion of the education you paid for.
What It Doesn't Cover
The TPS specifically covers tuition fees tied to your enrollment — it generally doesn't cover other costs you may have incurred as a result of the closure, such as accommodation deposits, relocation costs, or lost income. If you have separate financial losses connected to the closure, those typically need to be pursued through other means, such as a direct claim against the provider (if it still has assets) or your own insurance, rather than through TPS.
Protecting Yourself Before Enrolling
- Verify your intended provider's current CRICOS registration status directly before paying anything — a sudden closure is far less likely with an institution that has a long, stable registration history, though it's never impossible.
- Understand that TPS exists specifically for this scenario, so a provider closure — while stressful — is not the financial catastrophe it might feel like in the moment.
- Keep all your enrollment confirmation, fee payment records, and CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) documents accessible, since you'll need to reference them if you ever need to use TPS.
- If your provider shows warning signs (delayed communication, unclear financial status, staff departures), don't wait for an official default notice to start researching your TPS options.
Related Kibbo Tools
Sources
- Tuition Protection Service — Australian Government. tps.gov.au