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

Summary

The government is creating 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. This amends the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act, which currently oversees education quality but doesn't have a dedicated ombudsman service. Students will benefit from having a free, independent way to resolve disputes with their institution without going to court, while education providers will share the cost of running this service through the new levy system.

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