Transnational Education Programs Exempt from Australia’s National Planning Levels

The Australian Government is taking steps to manage the growth in international education by introducing a National Planning Level from 1 January 2025 to 270,000 new overseas students. This cap will apply to higher education and VET sectors, but there’s an important exemption for transnational education programs!

What is Transnational Education?

Transnational programs allow Australian providers to deliver education and qualifications across borders, building global connections and enriching research efforts. Some programs even feature both onshore and offshore study components.

Exempt Programs Criteria

Programs that meet the following requirements will be exempt from the National Planning Level:

  1. The overseas component must contribute towards an Australian higher education award.
  2. The program must be co-delivered and officially registered as a twinning or joint program.
  3. No more than 60% of the program’s duration can be completed in Australia.
  4. Programs must have been established before July 1, 2024 or assessed eligible after this date.

Note: Offshore programs only offering credit recognition towards Australian awards are not eligible for exemption.

How Does It Work?

  • Example 1: A student completes two years overseas and the final year in Australia for a three-year Australian degree—exempt!
  • Example 2: A student completes a bachelor’s and master’s program where most of the bachelor’s is done offshore—exempt!
  • Example 3: A program leading to only credit recognition without delivering an Australian qualification—not exempt.

Offshore Campus Standards

To qualify as an offshore campus of an Australian provider, the campus must:

  • Have a physical location with teaching facilities.
  • Operate independently, following Australian academic standards.
  • Offer primarily Australian qualifications under Australian governance.

Looking Ahead

This policy underscores Australia’s commitment to innovation in international education. Transnational education helps providers explore sustainable education models and support global education needs without compromising quality.

Providers can now assess their programs against these criteria to see if they qualify for exemption. Stay tuned for further updates, including criteria for VET programs.

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