Registered Training Organisations already listed on CRICOS have become significantly more valuable. Not because of a funding boost, but because of a new regulatory barrier that will make it much harder for competitors to enter the international student market.

Recent changes require any RTO seeking a new registration on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) will be required to demonstrate at least two years of delivery to domestic students before they can enrol international students on student visas.

For providers already on CRICOS, that requirement effectively locks in a competitive advantage.