External Avenues
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
Fascimile: 08 9325 1107
Email:mail@ombudsman.wa.gov.au
Website: 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 freecall 1800 117000 (outside the metropolitan area) and ask to speak to an Enquiry Officer.
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 lodgement of your appeal you will receive an acknowlegement receipt which must be supplied to Murdoch International 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 Murdoch International 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 Murdoch International within the required time period no report will be lodged until the final outcome of your appeal is known.
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Role of the Equal Opportunity Commission and Australian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity 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 & Equal Opportunity Commission. It will depend on the nature of the discrimination or harassment as to whether these organisations can assist - you should seek advice from them to ascertain how to proceed.
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Role of the International Education Conciliator
A Conciliator, appointed by the WA Department of Education Services, exists to try to resolve disputes between international full-fee students and their educational institutions in Western Australia. A student may discuss his or her concerns with the Conciliator at any time. However, please note that the Conciliator will only become actively involved on the student's behalf after the student has tried to resolve a matter with the institution directly and is not satisfied with the outcome.
The current Conciliator is Anne Duncan. Her office is located within the Department of Education Services, 22 Hasler Road, Osborne Park. The conciliator works only part-time. If you wish to discuss a problem with her, or if you wish to make an appointment to see her, you should telephone (08) 9324 6835, fax (08) 9322 6629, or send an email to: duncana@des.wa.gov.au.
See also the Department of Education Services website.
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