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

Summary

This amendment creates a new levy (a type of fee) that universities and other tertiary education providers must pay to fund a National Student Ombudsman — an independent official who investigates complaints from students about their education providers. The change modifies the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act, which currently oversees quality standards in Australian higher education, by adding a mechanism to collect money from institutions to support this ombudsman service. Students who have disputes with their university or other tertiary provider will be able to lodge complaints with this ombudsman at no cost to them, rather than pursuing expensive legal action, making it easier for individuals to resolve education-related grievances.

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