Legal Rights and Protections

Here are some ways you can benefit from Australian law:

Quality-assured education

The Australian Government requires every education provider in Australia to have

• meet registration requirements,
• be formally accredited, and 
• pass strict quality control checks. 

Students studying in Australia on a student visa can:

• only study courses that are Government-registered and meet national quality standards. 

These courses are listed the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses Overseas Students (CRICOS).

The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 require all CRICOS registered education providers to follow strict rules about student support, information and processes, including access to the Tuition Protection Scheme (TPS) - see below.

What to do if you need to complain about your education or training provider

The Australian Government appoints an independent advocate called Overseas Student Ombudsman. They can help you with any issues or complaints about private schools, colleges, institutes and universities in Australia.

If you are studying at a public (Government) education or training provider, you can get help from an Ombudsman in the Australian state or territory you are studying. These are independent complaint-handling organisation. 

• Australian Capital Territory Ombudsman
• New South Wales Ombudsman
• Northern Territory Ombudsman
• Office of the Training Advocate
• Queensland Ombudsman
•  Tasmanian Ombudsman
• Victorian Ombudsman
• Western Australian Ombudsman

Workplace rights for international students

Find out more about your work rights and entitlements as an international student working part-time whilst studying. 

What happens if your education provider can’t deliver your course

If you have paid for your course, but your university, TAFE, RTO or school can’t deliver (or finish delivering) your course, the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) can help! The TPS can help you with tuition fee refunds and finding you a different provider to finish your studies.

What to do if you have a problem with a product or service

Australia has consumer protection laws to protect the rights of Australian consumers, including international students.

If you have a problem with a product or service you bought or want to buy, you can contact your local state and territory consumer protection agency for consumer help. 

They can provide:

• information about your consumer rights,
• advice for a product or service you’re buying; or have purchased already,
• details about operations of a business and their behaviour under the law, and
• guidance on how to make a complaint about a business.