Lonsdale Institute Shuts Down Operations; Affected Students Offered Transfers and Refunds

Sydney: Lonsdale Institute Pty Ltd (CRICOS 02836F), a private education provider known for its English language and vocational training programs in Sydney and Melbourne, has officially ceased operations as of Monday, 14 July 2025. The closure is part of a growing trend of institutional defaults in Australia’s international education sector this year.

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Following the shutdown, the Australian Government’s Tuition Protection Service (TPS) has begun coordinating efforts to minimise disruption to affected international students. Students are being offered either a transfer to an alternative education provider or a refund for any unused tuition fees.

Among the leading institutions accepting transfer students is Australian Pacific College / English Unlimited (APC/EU), which has partnered with TPS to facilitate seamless transitions. Affected students are expected to receive detailed transfer or refund options within 14 days of the closure.

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What Students Should Do
Impacted students are advised to take the following steps immediately:

Check for official communication from Lonsdale Institute or the TPS via email or student portals.

Choose between transfer or refund: Students can either continue their studies at a new institution (usually with fee credits) or request a refund.

Obtain academic records, particularly if they do not wish to transfer.

Reach out to the relevant agencies for further assistance if there are delays or concerns:

TPS: support@tps.gov.au | 1300 131 798

ASQA (for transcripts): via training.gov.au

Department of Home Affairs (visa support): 131 881 (within Australia)

Visa and Documentation Support
International student visa holders are also urged to contact the Department of Home Affairs for guidance on maintaining visa compliance during the transition. TPS and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) are offering additional support to help students access academic records and maintain continuity in their education.

Broader Implications
Lonsdale’s closure is one of several seen in 2025, attributed largely to financial pressures and regulatory compliance issues affecting private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These developments have led to increased intervention from TPS, designed to uphold Australia’s reputation as a reliable international education destination.

For ongoing updates, students should regularly visit tps.gov.au and check their emails for official guidance.