National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026

Summary

Students across Australia would pay a new levy (a type of fee) that goes toward funding an independent National Student Ombudsman — a person or office that investigates complaints from students about their universities and training providers. This creates a new complaint system outside the universities themselves, giving students an independent place to turn when they have problems with how their institution treats them. The levy is a dedicated funding mechanism to ensure the ombudsman has ongoing money to operate and investigate cases fairly, rather than relying on government funding that could change year to year.

What happens at this stage

The final vote in this chamber on the bill as a whole, after all amendments have been considered. If it passes, the bill moves to the other chamber to go through the same process. If both chambers have already agreed to identical text, the bill proceeds directly to Royal Assent.

Next: The other chamber, which runs the same process from First Reading, or Royal Assent if both chambers have already agreed