Universities and TAFEs
We take complaints about universities and TAFEs. Find out how we can help, or how we can connect you to the National Student Ombudsman.
Universities and TAFEs provide higher education and training after high school. There are about nine public universities and a dozen TAFE institutes in Victoria. Some ‘dual sector’ universities also provide TAFE courses.
National Student OmbudsmanFrom February 2025, tertiary students can make complaints about the actions of their institution directly to the National Student Ombudsman. This specialist ombudsman accepts complaints from prospective, current or past students studying at any higher education provider registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). The National Student Ombudsman can consider complaints about the actions of higher education providers. This could include the provider’s actions in relation to:
The National Student Ombudsman cannot consider complaints about someone’s employment with a higher education provider, or the exercise of academic judgement. Referring complaints to the National Student OmbudsmanIf you make a complaint about an education provider to us, we may seek your consent to refer your complaint to the National Student Ombudsman. We will only refer complaints with your consent. There are some complaints we will continue to deal with, including public interest disclosures and complaints involving human rights. Not sure if the National Student Ombudsman is the right complaint pathway for you?Contact NSO for a confidential chat via 1300 395 775 or find out more at via the NSO website . Alternatively, contact us on 1800 806 314 or visit our online complaint form . |
What is our role?
We can consider most complaints about Victorian public universities and TAFEs.
We encourage you to complain to your university or TAFE first. All universities and TAFEs have internal complaint and grievance procedures. You can contact your university or TAFE for more information about this.
If you’re not happy with how the university or TAFE responds to your complaint, you can contact the National Student Ombudsman or we may be able to help.
We can take complaints from domestic and international
students. If you are an international student and the decision made by the
university or TAFE affects your visa status, you should tell them about your
complaint to us. This is not something we will do on your behalf.
What type of complaints can we take?
If you have completed the complaints process at your university or TAFE (including any appeals available) and this has not resolved the issue, you can contact us.
We can take complaints about a range of issues, for example:
- enrolment and exclusion
- applications for special consideration
- changes to course structures
- disciplinary, complaint and appeal procedures
- remission of HECS debt
- recognised prior learning.
We will generally look at how the university or TAFE has responded to your complaint, including whether you have been treated fairly during the process. We do not conduct appeals or merit reviews of decisions.
We are unable to take complaints about private universities. If you are an international student and have a complaint about a private university, you can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
We are also unable to take complaints about privately funded Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These can be made to the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority or the Australian Skills Quality Authority, depending on which body the RTO is registered with.
Useful links
Information about the National Student Ombudsman
Information for people complaining about RTOs registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
Information for people complaining about RTOs registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority
For international students complaining about private schools, colleges, institutes and universities, see the Commonwealth Ombudsman
Looking to make a complaint?
Use our online form to create and submit your complaint