Complaints by international students

Are you a current or past student with a student visa in Australia? Do you have a problem with your education provider? There is an Ombudsman that can help you.

A new national complaint service for higher education students

From 1 February 2025, the National Student Ombudsman (NSO) commences as an independent national escalated complaints resolution service for students to resolve complaints about the actions of their higher education provider.

The NSO can consider complaints about the actions of higher education providers. This includes a range of issues, such as the actions a higher education provider takes in relation to a student’s experience of gender-based violence, racism, racial vilification, discrimination, special considerations, disciplinary procedures, or administrative issues like the timeliness and accuracy of information provided to students about their courses.

The NSO cannot consider complaints about someone’s employment with a higher education provider, or the exercise of academic judgement.

Students, both international and domestic, studying a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course with a public provider should continue to raise their complaint with Ombudsman Western Australia.

International students studying a VET course with a private education provider should continue to contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

 

Select who you are complaining about:

University or Higher Education Provider

Contact the National Student Ombudsman

www.NSO.gov.au
Public education provider (schools and TAFE)

We can help with complaints about Western Australian public schools (primary and secondary) and TAFE colleges (VET courses).

We need to receive your complaint in writing. You can use our online complaint form or use email or post.

Online complaint form for International Students
Private education providers (private schools and VET courses)

Contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman

www.ombudsman.gov.au

 

For more information about making a complaint to the Western Australian Ombudsman about public education providers, read our Information Sheet Complaints by international students.

Make a complaint to the education provider first

Before you complain to one of the Ombudsman services, usually you must first exhaust all internal review options with your education provider. Please see who to contact for an internal review below:

Public Schools and TAFE Colleges
TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) is the unit within the Western Australian (WA) Department of Training and Workforce Development responsible for the recruitment and admission of international students studying at WA TAFE colleges and Government schools.

TAFE International Western Australia
Telephone: (08) 9218 2100
Website: Complaints and Appeals

Curtin University
Integrity and Standards Unit
Telephone:  1800 907 998 or (08) 9266 9184
Email: complaints@curtin.edu.au
Website: Integrity and Standards Unit

Edith Cowan University
Strategic and Governance Services Centre
Telephone:  (08) 6304 2199
Email: complaints@ecu.edu.au
Website: Complaints Resolution and Integrity

Murdoch University
Student Appeals Committee
Telephone:  (08) 9360 2952
Email: studentappeals@murdoch.edu.au
Website: Complaints and Appeals

University of Western Australia
Complaint Resolution Unit
Telephone:  (08) 6488 8547
Email: complaints@uwa.edu.au
Website: Reports and Complaints Electronic Complaint Form for Overseas Students Email the Ombudsman's Office (opens in a new window) Complaint Form for Overseas Students PDF Complaint Form for Overseas Students PDF