How can you be sure that the schools, universities and training
institutions you’ll read about on this website will deliver on what they
promise?
Here’s how: Australia provides international students with the most rigorous consumer protection in the world. Period.
In 2000, Australia introduced the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000.
ESOS ensures that, in order to enrol international students,
institutions must first meet requirements for registration. All
institutions which meet registration requirements are listed on the
publicly available Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for
Overseas Students (CRICOS).
If an institution doesn’t meet stringent standards for marketing
activities, education delivery, facilities and student support services,
it isn’t registered. That means it can’t enrol international students.
However, it’s important to note that if you come to Australia on a non-student visa, you won’t have this assurance.
Consumer protection
The ESOS legislation provides consumer protection. This means you
will receive the tuition for which you have paid, and your fees are
protected by law.
Course information
Institutions must ensure that the marketing materials (such as
brochures and handbooks) they provide to international students are
accurate and not misleading.
Before issuing your proof of enrolment, the institution must first provide you with current and accurate information, such as:
- requirements for acceptance into the course, including English language proficiency, previous work experience or educational qualifications necessary for admittance;
- the course content, duration and the qualification it leads to;
- modes of study and assessment methods;
- the facilities, equipment, learning and library resources available;
- indicative course-related fees, including advice on the potential for fees to change during your course; and
- relevant information on living in Australia, including indicative costs of living and accommodation options.
Student support services
Institutions must support international students in adjusting to
study and life in Australia, achieving their learning goals and
satisfying the learning outcomes of their course.
This includes providing information on arrival about:
- student support services available to help facilitate a smooth transition to life in Australia;
- legal services;
- emergency and health services;
- facilities and resources;
- complaints and appeals processes; and
- any student visa conditions relating to course progress and/or attendance as appropriate.
Throughout your course, institutions must help you access study support services and welfare-related services if you need them.
Find out more at: www.aei.gov.au/ESOS
Fake degrees
You should be wary of academic transcripts offered for sale,
generally via the Internet, without any study involved. Find more
information on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ website.
