Sarah Bendall - First Assistant Ombudsman

I loved my time at university and want to ensure that all students can realise the amazingly transformative potential of higher education, for themselves and for our community.

I’m a lawyer by trade, but alongside practicing as a lawyer I have always worked in roles involving dispute resolution. I’ve led dispute resolution teams, large and small, in areas ranging from sexual harassment, discrimination, consumer law, telecommunications, domestic building, child protection, public housing and health services.

Over the last 25 years, I’ve seen first-hand how powerful it can be for people to participate in processes to resolve their conflict. I think we sometimes don’t realise the impact that unresolved conflict can have on our health and wellbeing.

The NSO is a dispute resolution service set up specifically for students and Australian higher education providers. We are committed to facilitating trauma informed dispute resolution services and amplifying students voices to encourage continual improvement in the student experience across the higher education sector.

Dispute resolution is a powerful way to change systems and processes for the better. When one person has the courage to complain about something, it can result in improvements that prevent others from experiencing the same issue.

Through the NSO, I want to see tangible improvements in student experience for all students across the higher education sector.

- Sarah Bendall, First Assistant Ombudsman