🎓 Education Agent Commission Reporting Is Now Open

The Australian Government Department of Education has announced that the first Education Agent Commission Data Collection is now open through PRISMS . The collection relates to education agent commissions provided during the reporting period 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026 . For providers, this is more than simply completing another government return. It is an opportunity to review how education agent arrangements, commission information and supporting records are being managed internally. 📢 What has been announced? The Department has advised that Principal Executive Officers (PEOs) and Registered School Delegates (RSDs) should have received a request for information relating to education agent commissions under section 21B of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) . The reporting period covered by this first collection is: 📅 1 January 2026 – 30 June 2026 The collection period is: 📅 21 September 2026 – 30 October 2026 Providers are encouraged to begin preparing their submissions early to allow sufficient time for internal review and approval. 🧾 What should providers be thinking about? For education providers, the announcement is a useful reminder that agent-related information needs to be organised and accessible when reporting obligations arise. Before preparing a submission, providers may want to review their internal records relating to:

• Education agents engaged during the reporting period

• Commission arrangements

• Commission amounts and payments

• Relevant financial records

• Agent agreements and supporting documentation

• Internal approval processes

• Information recorded across finance, admissions and international student teams

• Consistency between internal records and information being reported through PRISMS

The Department has published supporting resources to assist providers, including a PEO Factsheet, Finance Officer Factsheet and Education Agent Commission PRISMS Guidance . 🔎 Why internal data consistency matters Education agent information can sometimes sit across different parts of an organisation. For example, finance teams may hold payment information, admissions teams may maintain agent records, and management may hold contracts or approval documentation. When information is spread across different systems, spreadsheets, emails and documents, preparing a regulatory return can become more time-consuming. A good compliance approach is therefore not simply: "Complete the return when it opens." It is: "Maintain information throughout the year so that reporting is easier when it is required." This is an important distinction for providers building a more structured compliance environment. 🏫 A reminder for education providers The new collection also highlights the broader importance of having clear governance around education agents. Providers may wish to consider whether they can readily answer questions such as: Who are our education agents? What arrangements do we have with them? What commissions were provided during the relevant period? Where is the supporting information held? Who reviews the information before submission? Can finance and operational records be reconciled? Having clear answers to these questions can make regulatory reporting more manageable. 💡 Turning compliance into an ongoing process At AQF Verify, we believe compliance should not be something an education provider thinks about only when a reporting deadline arrives. Compliance involves continually reviewing, identifying, monitoring, documenting and following up . That is also the thinking behind AQF Verify's expanding compliance ecosystem, including tools designed to help RTO teams manage areas such as Policy Review, TAS Review, Scope Monitoring and Compliance Evidence . The goal is to help providers move away from fragmented spreadsheets, emails and folders and towards a more structured approach to compliance activities. 📋 What should providers do now? With the Education Agent Commission Data Collection open until 30 October 2026 , providers should consider starting their preparation now rather than waiting until the deadline approaches. A practical starting point is: 1️⃣ Identify the relevant reporting period Review information relating to education agent commissions between 1 January and 30 June 2026. 2️⃣ Gather the relevant records Bring together the financial and operational information required for the return. 3️⃣ Check consistency Compare information held by finance, admissions and management teams where appropriate. 4️⃣ Review internally Allow sufficient time for the relevant authorised personnel to review the information. 5️⃣ Complete the PRISMS submission Follow the Department's published guidance when preparing and submitting the return. 6️⃣ Keep your compliance process organised Consider how similar reporting obligations can be managed more efficiently in the future. 🚀 AQF Verify: Building a stronger compliance ecosystem The Education Agent Commission Data Collection is one example of how Australia's education regulatory environment continues to place importance on accurate information, governance and accountability. https://aqfverify.org/ For providers, the broader lesson is simple: Good compliance is not just about responding when a regulator asks for information. It's about being organised enough to provide reliable information when required. AQF Verify is continuing to expand beyond credential verification to support the broader education ecosystem — connecting institutions, qualifications, careers, employers and compliance activities in one platform. For Australian education providers, a more organised approach to compliance can mean less last-minute searching, fewer disconnected records and greater visibility over important obligations. 📌 Important The information in this article is provided for general information and awareness purposes. Providers should refer to the Department of Education's official PRISMS guidance and applicable legislation when preparing their submission. The Department advises that questions about the Education Agent Commission Data Collection can be directed to esosreporting@education.gov.au . Source: Australian Government Department of Education – PRISMS, Education Agent Commission Data Collection now open , 21 September 2026.