Annual Levy for Higher Education Providers
National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Julian Leeser LIB
“I rise to speak on the National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026, and to also comment on the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment (National Student Ombudsman Levy) Bill 2026. Let me start by talking through the coalition’s position on these bills. The coalition does not oppose them.”
Tom French ALP
“These bills are technically informed, but the policy question behind them is simple: when a student has a serious problem with their university or higher education provider, where do they go if the provider’s own complaints process does not work? For too long, the answer was often, ’Nowhere particularly useful.”
Dr RYAN
“It is with great pleasure that I rise to speak to the National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill. Establishment of this position has been one of the most significant contributions of this government to keeping students safe on campuses. It began in August 2023, when representatives of the STOP campaign Australia launched the #IDeserveSafety initiative at Parliament House.”
Sarah Witty ALP
“I rise to speak in support of the National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026 and the related legislation before the House. I am proud to represent Melbourne, one of the greatest education capitals of Australia. Our city is home to the finest universities in the country and institutions recognised around the world for the quality of their teaching, research and innovation.”
Ms ROBERTS
“The incorporated speech read as follows— I would like to speak in support of the National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026, a bill that secures the future of a service that has already changed the university experience of thousands of young Australians for the better.”
Emma Comer ALP
“I rise today in strong support of the National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026. At its core, this bill is about making sure students have somewhere to turn when something goes wrong—somewhere independent, somewhere free, somewhere they’ll know they’ll be listened to. Importantly, this bill is about making sure that service is properly funded and sustainable into the future.”
Carina Garland ALP
“In February 2024 the Albanese Labor government released the final report of the Australian Universities Accord, a blueprint for higher education reform over the next decade and the decade after that. Our government has made some serious and meaningful progress on the accord’s recommendations, having already implemented 30 of the 47 recommendations.”
Renee Coffey ALP
“An offer of a university place brings excitement, relief and the chance to imagine a different future. For a school leaver, it can mean the first real step towards work they have dreamed about for years. For a parent returning to study, it can mean a new career and greater security for their family.”
Matt Burnell ALP
“The National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026 is about ensuring that students across Australia continue to have access to a free, independent and effective ombudsman for their needs. This is also about making sure that this important service has a sustainable funding model for the future.”
Julian Hill ALP
“I’ll sum up the debate. These two bills relate to the funding of the National Student Ombudsman. I got excited when the shadow minister walked in—obviously because I love seeing him and because he’s got an excellent first name. I’ve always approved of that. There was that unfortunate term when we had another one, but he wasn’t so good, so we dealt with him.”