Australian Government protection

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS)

Australia has a reputation as a safe, progressive and dynamic place to study for international students. To maintain this reputation the Australian Government has established a legislative framework to ensure the provision of quality education and consumer protection for all international students coming to Australia to study on student visas. This legislation is known as the ESOS Framework (Education Services for Overseas Students).

The legislation is designed to:

• protect your interests as a consumer by ensuring that you receive the education you have paid for and have access to appeal and complaint mechanisms;
• ensure that you are provided with support services to help you to succeed academically and to adjust to life in Australia;
• support education providers in monitoring student compliance with student visa conditions and in reporting any student breaches to the Australian Government.

The ESOS framework, in combination with Migration law, sets out certain:

• rights, and
• responsibilities,

you have as an international student.

This legislation applies to you only if you are studying in Australia on a student visa. If you are studying on another kind of visa or studying offshore you are not subject to these requirements.

For further information on the ESOS Framework is provided on the Australian Government Australian Education International (AEI) website at http://www.aei.gov.au/aei/esos/quickinfo/ESoS_FrameWork_pdf.pdf (opens an external site).

Changes to ESOS framework from 1 July 2007

As of 1 July 2007, a new version of the ESOS legislation is in effect. This legislation is contained in a document commonly referred to as the National Code 2007.

Advice for current international students on the changes to ESOS framework from 1 July 2007 is available. New international students are also encouraged to read this material as it contains further advice on your rights and responsibilities.