REGISTERED PROVIDERS

FAQ Response
I haven’t received the RFI letter.  What should I do? Please note that RFI letters are mailed to the PEO at the PEO address listed in PRISMS.

Please contact the Fund Manager if the PEO has not received the RFI and we will arrange for a copy of the letter to be reissued.
Who do I contact if I have not received my login details? The unique login details are included on page 2 of the RFI letter. The RFI letter was mailed to the PEO at the PEO address listed in PRISMS.

If you have not received the RFI letter please contact the Fund Manager.
What should I do if my login details do not work? Please ensure that you are using the unique login and password provided on page 2 of the RFI Letter.

Please note this login and password is different from your normal PRISMS login. You will not be able to access the ESOS Assurance Fund declaration screen within PRISMS using your normal PRISMS login.

If you continue to experience difficulties in accessing PRISMS you should contact the PRISMS Help Desk by phone: (02) 6240 7647 or email: prisms@dest.gov.au.
Can you please change our contact details in your system? All changes to contact details must be administered through your state CRICOS representative. When preparing any correspondence the Fund Manager uploads these contact details from PRISMS.
Who can I contact regarding problems with PRISMS? If you have trouble accessing the PRISMS site or experience any problems logging on you should contact the PRISMS Help Desk by phone: (02) 6240 7647, or email: prisms@dest.gov.au.
Can the Fund Manager give an extension for responding to the Request For Information?

No extensions can be granted. Access to the declaration within PRISMS automatically cuts off on Thursday 20 March at 5pm (EDST). Providers who have not responded by this time will be issued with a default invoice and will be required to submit a manual RFI.
I have Ministerial exemption. Does that mean I am exempt from paying the 2008 contribution? No. A provider is only exempt from making a contribution to the ESOS Assurance Fund if they:
  1. are administered by a State education authority; or
  2. receive funds under a law of the Commonwealth for recurrent expenditure for the provision of education or training, other than one excluded by the regulations from the scope of this paragraph; or
  3. are specified in the ESOS regulations.
Having a Ministerial Exemption means you are exempt from the requirements to be a member of a Tuition Assurance Scheme but you must still contribute to the ESOS Assurance Fund.
My circumstances have changed during the year. What should I do? Providers are required to contact the Fund Manager in the event that they experience a change in their circumstances, including the following:
  • change in Primary Assurance Mechanism/Ministerial exemption coverage; or
  • significant variation in estimated overseas fee income due to a change in operations; or
  • CRICOS registration is cancelled during the year.
I have already paid for my annual contribution. Please note that there are several payments that are required to be made in relation to the provision of tuition to overseas students. These include an Annual Registration Charge (ARC) administered by DEEWR, a Fund Contribution administered by the ESOS Assurance Fund Manager and any relevant payments to your Tuition Assurance Scheme.
What does "students" include? “Students” includes those studying part time, full time, casual, by correspondence and home study in Australia who are studying on a student visa. It does not include students studying offshore.
Does the term "students" cover students studying on tourist visas? No, it only covers students studying in Australia who are on a student visa.
Does “students” mean only students who are actually studying or all students enrolled? “Students” includes students who are currently studying and students enrolled to study.
Is prepaid board and lodging included in overseas fee income? Only if the board or lodging is a compulsory component of the students course.  i.e.: It is included if students must pay for board and lodging in order to successfully undertake the course.
Our organisation’s accounting system is based on a financial year. How do we calculate overseas fee income for the period 1 January 2008 - 31 December 2008? Fees must be calculated on an accruals basis. Therefore, you are required to calculate the proportion of fees that relate to the second half of 07/08 financial year and add that to the portion of fees received that relate to the first half of 08/09 financial year.