The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework protects the rights of international students studying in Australia, including:
- Your right to receive, before enrolling, current and accurate information about the courses, fees, modes of study, and other information from your institution and your institution’s agent.
- Your right to sign a written agreement with your institution before paying fees, setting out the services to be provided, fees payable, and information about refunds of course money. Make sure to keep a copy of your written agreement.
- The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is a placement and refund service for international students, which is activated in the event that your institution is unable to teach your course.
The institutions’ responsibilities
The ESOS framework sets out the standards that Australian education providers must meet in offering education and training services to international students. ESOS and the National Code also outlines the responsibility of providers in managing their education agent network. These standards cover a range of information you have a right to know and services that must be offered to you, including:
- Orientation and access to support services to help you study and adjust to life in Australia.
- Contact details of officers available to help international students.
- If you can apply for course credit.
- When your enrollment can be deferred, suspended or cancelled.
- What your institution’s requirements are for satisfactory progress in the courses you study and what support is available if you are not progressing well.
- If attendance will be monitored for your course.
- A complaints and appeals process.
Your responsibilities
As an overseas student on a student visa, you have responsibilities to:
- Satisfy your student visa conditions.
- Maintain your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period of your stay.
- Meet the terms of the written agreement with your institution.
- Inform your institution if you change your address.
- Maintain satisfactory course progress.
- If attendance is recorded for your course, follow your institution’s attendance policy.
- If you are under 18, maintain your approved accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements.
Student Fact Sheet
Download the fact sheet (PDF 2.1MB) to read important information for student visa holders about living and studying in Australia, including your consumer rights and responsibilities as an international student and key things you should know before and during your study.