ESOS, National Code and TPS

UNE ESOS Obligations

The National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018) supports the National Strategy for International Education 2025 to advance Australia as a global leader in education, training and research. Please visit the website for the most up to date Factsheets which explain the following 11 standards:

Standard 1: Marketing Information and Practices

This standard sets out that UNE must uphold the integrity and reputation of Australia’s education industry by ensuring the marketing of their courses and services is not false or misleading:

Standard 2: Recruitment of an Overseas Student

Here is the admission and recruitment  information for International students. Please see here for Admission, English Language Requirements:

UNE recruit students in an ethical and responsible manner and provide information that enables students to make informed decisions about studying with the registered provider in Australia. UNE ensure students’ qualifications, experience and English language proficiency are appropriate for the course for which enrolment is sought.

Standard 3: Formalisation of Enrolment and Written Agreements

Here is some information about the enrolment and written agreements:
These agreements must clearly outline the terms of the enrolment, including the courses and services to be provided, tuition and non-tuition fees, refund policies, and any conditions imposed on the student's enrolment.

Standard 4: Education Agents

UNE maintains written agreements with education Agents that outline both UNE’s and the Education Agent’s obligations under that agreement relating to marketing to and recruitment of international student’s, Agent performance and remuneration: https://www.une.edu.au/study/international/agents/information-for-agents

Standard 5: Younger Overseas Students

If you are under 18 years of age, and do not live with a parent or legal guardian in Australia, you cannot change your accommodation and welfare arrangements without consulting our team via email at Internationalservices@Une.edu.au. For more information, please refer to the Under 18 Welfare and Accommodation Procedure and Admission of Students under 18 Procedure.

Standard 6: Overseas Student Support Services

Overseas students require certain support services as they are living and studying in an unfamiliar environment. UNE is responsible for providing access to certain services to ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of their overseas students. Registered providers must:

  • give overseas students information on, or access to, an orientation program about living and studying in Australia, including information about safety on campus and while living in Australia;
  • offer reasonable support to overseas students, irrespective of their place or mode of study, at no additional cost to the overseas student;
  • have a critical incident management policy; and
  • ensure there are sufficient staff, in addition to academic staff, to support and advise overseas students who request assistance.
Standard 7: Overseas Student Transfers

This standard restricts providers from enrolling transferring students prior to the student completing six months of his or her principal course of study, except for the circumstances outlined in the standard. Providers, from whom a student is seeking to transfer, are responsible for assessing the students request for transfer within the restricted period. It is expected that the student's request will be granted where the transfer will not be to the detriment of the student.

After the first six months of the principal course no restrictions apply.

Standard 8: Overseas Student Visa Requirements

You must follow your visa conditions to ensure you satisfy its requirements. Visa conditions are set by Australian law and in case of breaching these conditions, this could lead to the cancellation of your visa by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Full list of student visa conditions can be found on the Department of Home Affairs webpage.

The University has a legal obligation to provide information to DHA in specific circumstances, such as changes to your enrolment and breaches to University rules.

Maintain a full study load, enrolment and course progression

It is mandatory to remain enrolled in your course and meet the course requirements throughout your studies. You are required to be a full-time student and enrol in compulsory study period to complete your studies within the stated timeframe on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

If you are at risk of not satisfying the course progression requirements, we strongly recommend seeking  Course Guidance to address any concerns.

Online Learning – external/distance study

As per The National Code 2018 (Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000) Standard 8, an international student visa holder must be onshore and can only do one third of their course online and/or through distance learning.

It is important to note that you must be enrolled in at least one unit offered in-person (internal study mode) per compulsory study period. The only exception is if you are completing the last unit of your course that is only available online.

You can refer to our course handbook to understand unit offerings and modes. This will help you ensure that you are compliant with this visa requirement and enrolled in the correct unit offering.

**From 30 June 2023 all international student holding a student visa must return to Australia to study on-campus ie. face to face learning.

Standard 9: Deferring, Suspending or Cancelling an Overseas Student's Enrolment

An overseas student’s enrolment can be deferred, suspended or cancelled. This may be initiated by either the overseas student for compassionate and compelling circumstances, or UNE for an overseas student’s breach of visa conditions, failure to pay fees, misbehaviour, or other condition listed in a registered provider’s policy:

If you are an international student visa holder and you want to permanently discontinue your studies at UNE, you will need to contact us to complete the form and submit documentation to support your discontinuation application.

If you are an International student and want to Suspend or take an intermission, this allows students who are experiencing compassionate or compelling circumstances to take a break from study and return to their home country. If approved to suspend your course, you are required to contact the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) to discuss your student visa status.

Standard 10: Complaints and Appeals

Standard 10 sets out that UNE must ensure their overseas students have the right to natural justice protected through access to professional, timely, inexpensive and documented complaints handling and appeals processes.

Informal Complaints

Your complaint is informal if you don't want the University to keep a written record of the complaint, the process of investigating it and the outcome. Informal complaints should first be raised with the person you feel is responsible for the problem. If you're not sure who this is, or you don't want to approach that person yourself, contact UNE International 02 6773 3192 for confidential advice.

Formal Complaints

Your complaint is formal if you do want the University to keep records of the complaint, the process of investigating it and the outcome. For information regarding complaints and how to register a formal complaint through the Student Grievance Unit visit the Complaints, Compliments and Feedback page, here you can complete the online complaints form.

All University-wide rules, policies, protocols, procedures and guidelines are contained within the UNE Policy Register.

The Student Grievance Unit is an independent investigative unit that assists with and resolves complaints submitted by students.

Standard 11: Additional Registration Requirements

Standard 11 sets out that UNE must continue to meet the requirements for CRICOS registration.

UNE ensures the ESOS agency for the registered provider approves, and has up-to-date information on, specific aspects of the registered provider’s operations and any registered courses

All inquiries to teqsa@une.edu.au

English Language Centre Procedures
Tuition Protection Service (TPS)

There are policies in place to protect you if you can't complete your study, or in the unlikely event that we can't deliver your full course.

The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an Australian Government initiative to assist you if your education provider can't fully deliver your course. This service aims to ensure that you get the tuition you paid for or, as a last resort, a refund of unspent tuition fees.

If you need to use this service, you will be able to select a suitable replacement option online. If you don't access a replacement online, you may be eligible for a refund of your unspent tuition fees from the TPS Director.

To further protect you, TPS legislation ensures that UNE takes pre-paid course fees for no more than one study period in advance. The initial deposit you pay for your course is no more than 50% of your total course fee where the course is more than 24 weeks in duration.

Find out more about the Tuition Protection Service.

UNE's Refund of Tuition Fees Policy aligns with this service and the:

  • National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (the National Code)
  • Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act 2000)
  • Education Services for Overseas Student Regulations 2001 (ESOS Regulations 2001)

Read UNE's Refund of Tuition Policy to understand your rights and responsibilities.