Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS)

Rights and responsibilities of international students

International students studying in Australia on a student visa are protected under the ESOS legal framework, which sets out the standards for the delivery of quality education. It aims to protect overseas students while they study in Australia so that they have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding study experience. The framework also provides tuition and financial assurance through the Tuition Protection Service.

The ESOS framework sets standards for information, services and resources, including:

  • information about your course, your course fees and mode of study as well as your rights and obligations if given course credit (standard 2)
  • requirements for approval of your accommodation and welfare arrangements if you're under the age of 18 (standard 5)
  • student support services, orientation information and critical incident procedures (standard 6)
  • if, when and how you can obtain release from Monash and transfer to another registered provider (standard 7)
  • the completion of your course within the expected timeframe (standard 8)
  • the reporting of breaches of visa conditions for unsatisfactory academic progress (standard 8)
  • course deferment, suspension, intermission and cancellation of enrolment (standard 9)
  • your rights if you have a complaint or appeal (standard 10).

The ESOS framework applies to holders of a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Subclass 500 – Student visa.

Students not covered by the ESOS framework are:

  • Australia Awards students (previously referred to as AusAID)
  • Commonwealth-sponsored scholarship holders, and
  • student dependants.

The education providers and the courses they offer to international students must be registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). You can check this using the government's CRICOS course and institution search.

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