ESOS

YOUR RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

BACKGROUND

Your dealings with the Australian National University are governed by special legislation known as the ESOS Framework (Education Services for Overseas Students).This legislation applies to students studying in Australia on a student visa. Students studying on other kinds of visas are not subject to the requirements outlined in this document. The legislation also applies to organisations, such as universities, schools and colleges, that are registered to admit overseas students (known as Registered Providers). The legislation is designed to:

a. establish and safeguard Australia’s international reputation as a provider of high quality education and training by:

i. ensuring that education and training for overseas students meets nationally consistent standards, and
ii. ensuring the integrity of registered providers

b. protect the interests of overseas students by:

i. ensuring that appropriate consumer protection mechanisms exist
ii. ensuring that student welfare and support services for overseas students meet nationally consistent standards, and
iii. providing nationally consistent standards for dealing with student complaints and appeals

c. support registered providers in monitoring student compliance with student visa conditions and in reporting any student breaches to the Australian Government.

 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Your responsibilities as an international student are determined by the conditions of your student visa. These are governed by the Migration Regulations and by the policies of Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). While it is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with your visa conditions, the University must also monitor your enrolment and report on any breaches. DIAC may cancel your student visa if you are found to have breached your visa conditions. Your responsibilities include:

Maintain 100% study load

You must maintain 100% study load for the full duration of your program unless you have a compassionate or compelling reason.  Further information is available at: http://info.anu.edu.au/studyat/International_Office/student_life/_study_load.asp
At the ANU, this means:

a) that you must enrol in 24 units per semester or  an equivalent enrolment period if the program is conducted in non-standard sessions. Where the course is structured 18 unit per semester, you can enrol in 18 units;

b) that you will be allowed to defer or take leave from your program only for compassionate and compelling reasons such as a serious medical condition. Leave can be granted for a maximum of 6 months.

Maintain satisfactory academic progress

All students at the ANU are subject to rules and policies governing satisfactory academic progress. As an international student, if you breach these rules the University must notify DIAC. This may result in cancellation of your student visa.

Pay tuition fees on time

It is a requirement of your student visa that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and to pay for your studies in Australia. If you do not pay your tuition fees on time the University may cancel your enrolment and notify DIAC. This may result in cancellation of your student visa.

Maintain Overseas Student Health Cover

When you are first admitted, the University will have arranged one year’s OSHC for you. You must renew this cover every year. Conveniently, you can do this through the University. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid OSHC for the duration of your stay in Australia.

Notify the University of any Change of Address

The University must be able to contact you while you are in Australia. Hence, within seven days of (a) your arrival in Australia, and (b) changing address, you must notify the University of your new address.

No change of provider within 6 months of commencement of principal course

Within the first 6 months of your principal (i.e. non-preparatory) course, you may only transfer to another education provider with the permission of the ANU and of DIAC, which means you will need a release letter from ANU.

YOUR RIGHTS

As an international student, you have rights that are protected under the ESOS framework. These include:

Information

Prior to your enrolment, the University must provide you with, or refer you to, accurate information about:

a) your course, including: a general description of the content;  the qualification or accreditation gained on completion; the duration; the teaching methods used (including any field trip or work experience requirements); the assessment methods used; if another provider is also involved in providing the course, then the provider number and the location of course delivery; details of any arrangements with other providers for recognition of the course or completed components of the course; an itemised list of fees payable; minimum level of English language proficiency, educational qualifications and work experience required for entry;

b) the University, including: the facilities (for example classrooms, furniture, fittings); the equipment (for example audio-visual teaching aids); the learning resources (for example reference texts and software) available to students undertaking the course;

c) living in Canberra, including: indication of living costs; advice on school-aged dependants about payment of school fees.

If you have not received this information please let us know.  

Support Services

The University must provide you with certain support services, including:

a) access to information or counselling in the areas of: orientation; academic progress; further study; accommodation.

b) a designated Student Contact Officer. At the ANU this function is performed by the Student Services section of the International Education Office.

Through these services, the University must promote your successful adjustment to life and study at the ANU and assist you to resolve problems which could prevent you from completing your study program successfully. 

Appeal and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

If the University makes a decision affecting your enrolment, including decisions about the payment of course fees, refunds or exclusion from the university based on unsatisfactory academic progress, then you have the right to access the University’s formal internal appeal and dispute resolution mechanisms. Note that you also have the right to access independent external legal remedies to solve disputes with the University. If all internal processes have been exhausted then, at your request, the University must advise you of any independent external mechanisms available to you. You can visit the following links to have more information: http://www.anu.edu.au/cabs/rules/index.html and http://info.anu.edu.au/StudyAt/International_Office/student_life/_mediation.asp

FURTHER INFORMATION

ESOS and You

The ESOS Framework
W:      www.dest.gov.au/esos/default.htm

DIAC
W:      http://www.immi.gov.au

Study in Australia
W:      www.studyinaustralia.gov.au

ANU International Student Services
W:      http://info.anu.edu.au/studyat/International_Office/
E:       ieo.support@anu.edu.au

For questions about visa compliance contact
E:      policy.regs@anu.edu.au
T:      6125 1436

ANU CRICOS Provider Code Number: 00120C