National Student Ombudsman
We are pleased to announce legislation was passed on 28 November 2024, and the National Student Ombudsman (NSO) will commence operations on 1 February 2025.
The NSO will be a new complaints function within the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The NSO will be independent, impartial and provide an effective, trauma-informed complaints mechanism for higher education students.
From 1 February 2025 the NSO will be there for students to escalate complaints about the actions of their higher education provider.
The types of matters students can complain to the NSO about include:
- student safety and welfare
- racism
- gender-based violence
- course administration
- disciplinary processes
- reasonable adjustments
If you have a complaint about your higher education provider before the NSO opens on 1 February 2025, you can continue to access the existing complaints pathways through the Study Assist - Making a complaint page.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800respect.org.au or text 0458 737 732.
If you are in immediate danger dial 000.
Outreach activities
The NSO has an education and outreach function for the higher education sector, if you are interested in discussing opportunities for 2025, please email us at:
Note: The email is not for student complaints. Our complaint pathways will be available on this site from 1 February 2025.