ESOS Framework

This information is provided by the Australian Education International ( AEI) www.aei.gov.au. Australia's laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are known as the ESOS framework and include the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code 2018.

The following is from information provided by Australian Education International (AEI) (www.aei.gov.au)

The Australian Government wants overseas students in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding study experience. Australia's laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are known as the ESOS framework and they include the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code 2018.

Protection for overseas students

As an overseas student on a student visa, you must study with an education provider and in a course that can be found on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) at http://cricos.deewr.gov.au. CRICOS registration guarantees that the course and the education provider at which you study meet the high standards necessary for overseas students.

Please check carefully that the details of your course - including its location - match the information on CRICOS.

Your rights

The ESOS framework protects your rights, including:

• Your right to receive, before enrolling, current and accurate information about the courses, fees, modes of study and other information from your provider and your provider's agent. If you are under 18, to ensure your safety, you will be granted a visa only if there are arrangements in place for your accommodation, support and welfare.
• Your right to sign a written agreement with your provider before or as you pay fees, setting out the services to be provided, fees payable and information about refunds of course money. You should keep a copy of your written agreement.
• Your right to get the education you paid for. The ESOS framework includes consumer protection that will allow you to receive a refund or to be placed in another course if your provider is unable to teach your course.

The ESOS framework sets out the standards Australian education providers offering education services to overseas students must obey. These standards cover a range of information you have a right to know and services that must be offered, including:

• orientation and access to support services to help you study and adjust to life in Australia;
• who the contact officer is for overseas students;
• if you can apply for credit transfer and/or recognition of prior learning;
• when your enrolment can be deferred, suspended or cancelled;
• what your provider's requirements are for satisfactory progress in the courses you study and what support is available if you are not progressing well;
• if attendance will be monitored for your course, and a complaints and appeals process;
• One of the standards does not allow another education provider to enrol a student who wants to transfer to another course, and has not completed six months of the final course of study planned to undertake in Australia. If the student wants to transfer beforehand the student needs the provider's permission.