International Student Rights

Studying in Melbourne involves rights as well as responsibilities. Their precise application depends on your course, sector, provider, visa status and circumstances. This page points to primary sources and appropriate assistance; it does not replace individual legal or migration advice.

Before enrolment and payment

For study on a student visa, check both the institution and particular course on CRICOS. Entry requirements, course content, location, duration, fees and material conditions should be clear.

Your provider must formalise enrolment through a written agreement under National Code Standard 3. Review charges, refund terms and complaints procedures. Keep the offer, agreement and receipts. An education agency agreement does not replace your course agreement.

During your studies

Your provider must make the required support and ways of seeking assistance available. Contact student services early if workload, language, health or adjustment is causing difficulty.

Course progress and, where applicable, attendance requirements differ. Standard 8 explains providers’ monitoring and intervention responsibilities. If you receive a formal notice, check deadlines and appeal steps carefully rather than relying only on informal correspondence.

If a course is not delivered

The Tuition Protection Service may assist eligible international students where a provider fails to meet its statutory obligations. Depending on the situation, assistance can involve an alternative course or a refund of unspent tuition fees. It is not universal reimbursement for accommodation, insurance, flights and every other expense.

Complaints about a provider

Usually begin with the provider’s internal process and keep your complaint, response and evidence. Select an external service according to its jurisdiction:

• • Higher education: the National Student Ombudsman, subject to its powers and exclusions, including academic judgement.
• • Private VET providers and eligible student-visa circumstances: the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
• • Public VET providers in Victoria: check the Victorian Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

For other sectors, confirm the external body through your provider’s procedures or an ombudsman. Complaints about MEGAPOLIS services follow our separate process; it does not replace an appeal against a provider’s decision.

Employment and accommodation

International students have workplace rights. Fair Work explains pay, payslips and employment conditions. Consumer Affairs Victoria explains Victorian rental rights.

Study Melbourne helps students find free, independent and confidential employment and accommodation legal support.

Your responsibilities

Provide genuine documents, comply with course and visa conditions, check provider correspondence and report important changes. A right to complain does not automatically extend a deadline, cancel a payment or change visa conditions.

Sources checked on 13 September 2026. MEGAPOLIS does not make admission or visa decisions.