On 12 June 2019, the Nepal Ministry of Education, Science and Technology issued a notice which referred to issuing No Objection Certificates (NOC) to students aspiring to undertake higher education abroad. Nepali students must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry before transferring money offshore for tuition fees. Following this announcement there was widespread speculation that this notice may affect the provision of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for students pursuing VET and ELICOS courses.
Subsequently, on 19 June 2019, the Nepalese Supreme Court issued an interim order to not implement the notice issued by the Nepal Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on 12 June 2019, ahead of a hearing by the Court. The Department of Education and Australian Government agencies have been working with the Nepalese Government to clarify the notice and the subsequent Supreme Court order.
The Department of Education have since consulted with the Secretary of Nepal's Ministry of Education on 27 June and received clear advice that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) are being issued as per arrangements prior to the notice.