Migration and education have their own technical vocabulary — full of acronyms and specialised terms that can be confusing for first-time applicants. This glossary explains the most commonly used terms you'll encounter when applying to study or migrate to Australia.
A
- ART (Administrative Review Tribunal): The body that reviews certain decisions made by the Department of Home Affairs, including refused or cancelled visas. ART replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in 2024.
- ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority): The national regulator of vocational education and training (VET) providers in Australia.
C
- CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies): The equivalent of a CoE in the United Kingdom system. Issued by UK universities to confirm a student's enrolment for visa purposes.
- CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment): An official document issued by an Australian education provider confirming a student is enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course. Required for the Subclass 500 student visa.
- CRICOS: The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Only CRICOS-registered courses can be studied by international students on a Student Visa.
D
- DHA (Department of Home Affairs): The Australian Government department responsible for immigration, citizenship, and visa decisions.
E
- ELICOS: English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students — accredited English language programs delivered by CRICOS-registered providers.
- EOI (Expression of Interest): An online submission through SkillSelect indicating interest in being invited to apply for a skilled migration visa. Applicants are ranked by points and may be invited to apply during regular invitation rounds.
- ESOS Act: The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 — the legislation that protects international students studying in Australia and regulates education providers.
G
- GS (Genuine Student) Requirement: The requirement that Student Visa (Subclass 500) applicants demonstrate their primary purpose for entering or remaining in Australia is to study. Replaced the GTE requirement in late 2024.
- GSM (General Skilled Migration): The category of points-tested migration visas including Subclasses 189, 190, and 491.
- GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant): The former requirement for Student Visa applicants — replaced by the Genuine Student requirement in late 2024.
I
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System — one of the most widely accepted English proficiency tests for Australian visas and university admissions.
- ImmiAccount: The online portal used to lodge and track visa applications with the Department of Home Affairs.
M
- MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority): The Australian regulator of migration agents. Only MARA-registered agents are legally permitted to give immigration assistance for a fee.
- MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number): The unique registration number assigned to each MARA-registered migration agent. Should be displayed by every legitimate agent.
- Ministerial Direction No. 111: The current Ministerial Direction that establishes priority processing rules for Student Visa applications based on education provider risk rating and applicant country.
- MLTSSL: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List — the list of occupations Australia considers to be in long-term strategic demand. Occupations on this list have access to the widest range of skilled migration pathways.
- MOI (Medium of Instruction): A letter issued by an applicant's previous institution stating that their education was conducted in English. Can substitute for an English test in some circumstances.
N
- NPL (National Planning Level): The Australian Government's annual planning figure for new international student commencements. The 2026 NPL is set with an additional 25,000 commencements compared to 2025.
O
- OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover): Mandatory health insurance for all Student Visa holders, valid for the entire duration of the visa.
- OVHC (Overseas Visitors Health Cover): Health insurance for visa holders who are not Student Visa holders — e.g. partner visa applicants, working holiday makers.
P
- PR (Permanent Residency): The status of being a permanent resident of Australia — able to live, work, and study indefinitely. Pathway to citizenship after 4 years of residence.
- PTE (Pearson Test of English): A widely accepted English proficiency test alternative to IELTS, accepted by all Australian universities and DHA for visa purposes.
- PYP (Professional Year Program): A 44-week accredited program in Accounting, IT, or Engineering for international graduates. Awards 5 additional GSM points.
R
- RTO (Registered Training Organisation): An organisation registered with ASQA to deliver vocational education and training (VET) in Australia.
S
- SkillSelect: The online system used to manage Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for points-tested visas (Subclasses 189, 190, and 491).
- STSOL: Short-term Skilled Occupation List — a list of occupations available for some sponsored visa types.
T
- TAFE (Technical and Further Education): Government-funded vocational education institutions across Australia offering Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma qualifications.
- TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency): The national regulator of higher education providers in Australia (universities and other higher education institutions).
V
- VET (Vocational Education and Training): The sector of Australian education that delivers skills-based qualifications (Certificate III, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma) — typically through TAFEs and private RTOs.
If a term you are looking for is not listed here, please contact OnePoint — we will add it to the glossary and answer your question directly.
