What is the Tuition Protection Service and how does it help international students?

Studying overseas is one of the biggest investments you will make. Understandably, you may have concerns and be asking yourself - what if something goes wrong with my education provider? What happens to the tuition fees I have already paid?

In Australia, international students are protected by a safety net called the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) which guards your financial and academic interests. The TPS is an Australian Government initiative designed specifically to protect international students studying on a student visa (subclass 500). If your education provider can no longer deliver your course or if they close unexpectedly, the TPS activates to ensure that students are not left stranded. Australia's TPS is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive student tuition safety nets in the world.

In this blog, we will explain how the Tuition Protection Service works, who is covered, its benefits and what actions you can take as a student.

1. How does the Tuition Protection Service work?

If your education provider fails to start or deliver your course, closes or ceases to be registered, the TPS activates. TPS officials will contact you and invite you to attend an information session to explain your next steps and teach you how you to use the TPS Online platform before sending you your login details.

If you need to make an application to the TPS, you will need to provide information such as:

Proof of identity (e.g. passport)
Letter of Offer from your education provider
Receipts and bank statements for all payments made for your course and
Evidence of your student visa

The TPS will give you 3 main options:

A place in a comparable course with another provider at no additional cost to you. You will need to ask your new provider for an enrolment offer.
A refund of any unused tuition fees you’ve already paid. These are the fees you have already paid to your school that have not been used in delivering your education and training.
Support and advice from the TPS Director to find the best possible resolution tailored to your situation.

The service is free, transparent, fast-moving and government-regulated. This means that you don’t have to chase answers or rely on unresponsive providers during already stressful situations.

For more information, you can refer to the TPS’ Student Support Process resource and the TPS Online Step-By-Step Instructions.

2. Who is covered?

All registered CRICOS education providers in Australia are part of the TPS which means that no institution can opt out. All international students on a student visa are protected under this framework.

Tip

Always pay your tuition fees direct to your education provider through official, documented channels to ensure your payments are TPS-eligible.

3. What are the benefits?

The Tuition Protection Service provides the following benefits to international students:

It safeguards your tuition investment.
It is a government initiative so you’re not relying on private insurance or unregulated processes to protect your tuition fees.
It gives you the choice of continuing your studies with another provider or receive a refund.
Its system activates quickly, minimising disruption to your studies.

4. What should you do as a student?

It is important that you know your rights as an international student. Familiarise yourself with the TPS website. Keep records of all tuition payments and enrolment details and act quickly if your provider contacts you about closures or disruptions.

OTHER RESOURCES

Visa information

If you choose not to enrol in an alternative course (after your education provider no longer delivers your course) it will affect your student visa. The TPS cannot help with matters relating to your visa. Visit the Department of Home Affairs for information on how an education provider default will affect your visa and what to do next.

Health and wellbeing services

When a provider defaults it can cause uncertainty and distress. The Study Australia website has a list of health and wellbeing support services for international students.

At KBS, our Student Support team can help you with any study or personal challenges. We have also partnered with Sonder to provide all our students confidential safety and wellbeing assistance free of charge. Download our free eBook about studying in Australia.