[1] The OIA has no regulatory powers over higher education providers, such as universities or colleges, and is unable to punish or fine them.
As a result of recommendations from the Dearing Report, consultations began about an independent body to which students could make complaints.
[2] By law, all higher education bodies are required to abide by the rules of the OIA's complaints scheme.
It functions by seeking information from both complainant and the higher education institution and allowing each party to comment.
[7] In 2010, the number of complaints represented just 0.05 per cent of the 2.2 million students enrolled in higher education.