National Student Ombudsman Annual Report 2025 - 26
This is the National Student Ombudsman’s first full-year annual report (2025–26). It covers 4,874 student contacts to the NSO, 44 investigations commenced, and 30 recommendations issued (93% accepted by providers).
On disability, 15% of students who contacted the NSO identified as having a disability or accessibility requirement (up 3%), and 2% of all complaints related specifically to disability, mostly discrimination or inadequate support. The most common issue was learning access plans, with 58 complaints, more than double the previous year. Other themes were delayed or refused supports, excessive documentation demands, and students being pushed to delay or withdraw.
The NSO calls on providers to equip academic staff, not just support staff, to implement adjustments promptly, and it plans to publish a disability-focused Insights Report in 2027. (October 2026)