21AXReports of the National Student Ombudsman

#### 21AX Reports of the National Student Ombudsman Annual and other reports (1) As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, the National Student Ombudsman must give an annual report to the Minister administering this Act, for presentation to the Parliament, on the operations of the National Student Ombudsman during that financial year. (2) The National Student Ombudsman may, from time to time, give the Minister administering this Act, for presentation to the Parliament, a report: (a) on the operations of the National Student Ombudsman during a part of a year; or (b) in relation to any matter relating to, or arising in connection with, the exercise of the powers, or the performance of the functions, of the National Student Ombudsman. (3) The National Student Ombudsman may also give a copy of a report under subsection (1) or (2) to: (a) the Higher Education Minister; or (b) the Secretary of the Higher Education Department. (4) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) do not affect the powers and duties of the National Student Ombudsman under section 21AV or 21AW. Tabling and inclusion in other reports (5) If the National Student Ombudsman gives a report to the Minister administering this Act under subsection (1) or (2), the Minister must cause the report to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Minister receives the report. (6) A report under this section relating to the operations of the National Student Ombudsman during a period may be included in a report under: (a) section 19; or (b) section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013; relating to the operations of the Ombudsman during that period. Content of report (7) A report under this section on the operations of the National Student Ombudsman during a period must: (a) set out the number and nature of complaints made to the National Student Ombudsman under this Part during that period; and (b) in relation to each higher education provider for which a complaint was made to the National Student Ombudsman under this Part—set out: (i) the number of complaints made to the National Student Ombudsman during that period; and (ii) the nature of the complaints made to the National Student Ombudsman during that period; and (c) if the National Student Ombudsman has conducted any investigations under paragraph 21AT(1)(a)—set out: (i) the number of such investigations started during that period; and (ii) the number of such investigations completed during that period; and (d) if the National Student Ombudsman has conducted any investigations under paragraph 21AT(1)(b)—set out: (i) the number of such investigations started during that period; and (ii) the number of such investigations completed during that period; and (e) set out details of recommendations made during that period in reports under section 21AV; and (f) if the National Student Ombudsman is aware of any actions taken by higher education providers in response to recommendations made in reports under section 21AV—set out details of such actions taken during that period; and (g) if the National Student Ombudsman has referred any complaints made under this Part to a higher education provider for investigation and report under Subdivision C of Division 3 of this Part—set out: (i) the number of complaints referred under that Subdivision during that period; and (ii) the number of reports provided under that Subdivision to the National Student Ombudsman during that period; and (h) if the National Student Ombudsman has tried to settle any complaints made under this Part using an alternative dispute resolution process under Subdivision D of Division 3 of this Part—set out: (i) the number of such alternative dispute resolution processes started during that period; and (ii) the number, and outcome, of such alternative dispute resolution processes concluded during that period; and (i) if the National Student Ombudsman has used a restorative engagement process under Subdivision E of Division 3 of this Part—set out: (i) the number of such restorative engagement processes started during that period; and (ii) the number of such restorative engagement processes concluded during that period; and (j) set out details of any action that the National Student Ombudsman took during the period to promote best practice in handling of complaints by higher education providers; and (k) set out details of the National Student Ombudsman’s observations (if any) during the period regarding the following: (i) any trends in complaints; (ii) any broader issues that arise from investigations; (iii) any improvements that could be made to the handling of complaints made by higher education students. (8) A report under this section on the operations of the National Student Ombudsman during a period may set out any other matter relevant to the operations of the National Student Ombudsman during that period.