Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment (National Student Ombudsman Levy) Bill 2026

Summary

Universities and other higher education providers will pay a new levy (a type of fee) to fund a National Student Ombudsman — an independent office that investigates complaints from students. This amends the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act by creating a funding mechanism for this ombudsman service. Currently, students who have problems with their university or education provider may struggle to get their complaints resolved; this change gives them access to a dedicated, federally-funded advocate who can investigate disputes and push for fair outcomes.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause