External Avenues

1. Ombudsman - Western Australia
2. Equal Opportunity Commission & Australian Human Rights Commission
3. International Education Conciliator

Role of the Ombudsman

If you are not satisfied that the University's internal complaint and appeal process has been conducted fairly, you can make a complaint to the Western Australia Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is independent and external to the University and does not charge any fees for his services.

Please note that the Ombudsman will normally only consider whether the University has followed its own policies and procedures and whether the handling of your case has been fair and reasonable. The Ombudsman does not make a new decision (for example, as to what the academic result for a subject should be) to replace the decision made by the University. However, as a result of an investigation, the Ombudsman may recommend that the University reconsider your case.

You will need to make a complaint in writing if you would like the Ombudsman to examine your case. Contact details for the Ombudsman are:

Mail: Ombudsman Western Australia
PO Box Z5386
St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6831

Fax: 08 9325 1107
Email: mail@ombudsman.wa.gov.au
Website: http://www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au/

If you have any queries about making a complaint to the Ombudsman please ring his office on 9220 7555 or free call 1800 117000 (outside the metropolitan area) and ask to speak to an Enquiry Officer.

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VISA HOLDERS

The Ombudsman Western Australia is available as an external appeal body for all complaints and grievances including exclusion from the University.

If you have been advised by the University that the University intends to report you for Non-compliance with the conditions of your student visa and you have exhausted all internal avenues of appeal you must apply to the Ombudsman within 15 working days of the notice of your unsuccessful appeal to the university.

Upon submission of your appeal to the Ombudsman you will receive an acknowledgement receipt which must be supplied to the International Student Liaison & Recruitment Office as evidence of your external appeal. If you do not appeal within 15 working days of the last notice from the University of your unsuccessful appeal, the International Student Liaison & Recruitment Office will report your exclusion which will result in your student visa being cancelled.

If you have lodged an appeal to the Ombudsman and provided the acknowledgement receipt to the International Student Liaison & Recruitment Office within the required time period no report will be lodged until the final outcome of your appeal is known.

Role of the Equal Opportunity Commission and Australian Human Rights Commission

Where your concern relates to discrimination or harassment you may be able to access the services of the Equal Opportunity Commission (WA) or the Australian Human Rights Commission.

It will depend on the nature of the discrimination or harassment as to whether these organizations can assist, therefore, you should seek advice from them to ascertain how to proceed.

Role of the International Education Conciliator

The International Education Conciliator of the WA Department of Education Services offers a free independent conciliation/mediation service to assist in resolving disputes between international students and their institutions.

The conciliator is able to discuss issues of concern at any stage of the internal complaints and appeals procedure but will not become involved in the case until the parties have attempted to resolve the dispute themselves and that attempt has failed.

For further detail: http://www.des.wa.gov.au/international_education/Disputes.