Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2017A00031:clause:1_20zm
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2017A00031
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 1 cl 20ZM
Character Range: 4029–6729

20ZM  Functions of VET Student Loans Ombudsman
 (1) The functions of the VET Student Loans Ombudsman are as follows:
 (a) to conduct investigations, and make recommendations and other reports, under this Part in relation to the following:
 (i) VET loan assistance;
 (ii) compliance by VET student loan scheme providers with the VET Student Loans Act 2016, the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and any legislative instruments under either of those Acts;
 (b) to give VET student loan scheme providers advice and training about the best practice for the handling of complaints made to them by VET students in relation to VET loan assistance;
 (c) to develop and promote, and to review from time to time, a code of practice relating to the following:
 (i) the provision of services to VET students by VET student loan scheme providers in relation to VET loan assistance;
 (ii) the handling of complaints made by VET students to VET student loan scheme providers in relation to VET loan assistance;
 (d) to perform any other function conferred on the VET Student Loans Ombudsman by this Act or another Act, or a legislative instrument made under this Act or another Act.
Note: The VET Student Loans Ombudsman may conduct an investigation in relation to a complaint, or on his or her own initiative (see section 20ZO).
 (2) In developing or reviewing a code of practice for the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), the VET Student Loans Ombudsman may consult with the following:
 (a) VET student loan scheme providers;
 (b) vocational education and training industry groups;
 (c) vocational education and training student bodies;
 (d) Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies and other bodies with responsibilities in relation to vocational education and training, including the following:
 (i) the Department responsible for the administration of the VET Student Loans Act 2016;
 (ii) the National VET Regulator within the meaning of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011;
 (iii) State and Territory bodies with responsibility for registering vocational education and training providers.
 (3) A code of practice developed for the purposes of paragraph (1)(c) is not a legislative instrument.
 (4) VET loan assistance means:
 (a) a VET student loan within the meaning of the VET Student Loans Act 2016; or
 (b) VET FEE‑HELP assistance within the meaning of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
Note: This Part does not prevent actions taken by a Department, the Secretary of a Department or a Minister in relation to the provision of VET loan assistance from being investigated by the Commonwealth Ombudsman under provisions of this Act other than this Part: see section 20ZZA.