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HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH REFORM AMENDMENT BILL 2014

 

 

 

2013-2014 

 

The Parliament of the 

Commonwealth of Australia 

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time 

 

 

 

 

Higher Education and Research Reform 

Amendment Bill 2014 

 

No.      , 2014 

 

(Education) 

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to amend legislation relating to 

higher education and research, and for other 

purposes 

   

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

i 

 

Contents 

Short title ........................................................................................... 1

 

Commencement ................................................................................. 1

 

Schedules ........................................................................................... 2

 

Schedule 1--Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system 

and other measures

 

3

 

Part 1--Main amendments

 

3

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

3

 

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011

 

38

 

Part 2--Application, saving and transitional provisions

 

40

 

Division 1--Introduction

 

40

 

Division 2--Preserving certain funding arrangements

 

40

 

Division 3--Other application, saving and transitional provisions

 

44

 

Part 3--Consequential amendments

 

49

 

Australian National University Act 1991

 

49

 

Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000

 

49

 

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936

 

50

 

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997

 

50

 

Part 4--Amendments of Guidelines

 

51

 

Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines 2012

 

51

 

Part 5--Repeals of instruments

 

54

 

Higher Education (Designated Courses of Study) Specification 2011

 

54

 

Schedule 2--New Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme

 

55

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

55

 

Schedule 3--Indexation of HELP debts

 

58

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

58

 

Schedule 4--Minimum repayment income for HELP debts

 

60

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

60

 

Schedule 5--Research funding and research students

 

62

 

 

 

ii 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Part 1--Research funding

 

62

 

Australian Research Council Act 2001

 

62

 

Part 2--Research students

 

63

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

63

 

Part 3--Repeals of instruments

 

65

 

Determination made on 13 August 2004 under subsection 169-20(1) 

of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Federal Register of 

Legislative Instruments No. F2007B01092)

 

65

 

Part 4--Amendments of Guidelines

 

66

 

Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2012

 

66

 

Schedule 6--VET FEE-HELP loan fees and limits

 

68

 

Part 1--Main amendments

 

68

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

68

 

Part 2--Application, saving and transitional provisions

 

73

 

Schedule 7--HECS-HELP benefit

 

74

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

74

 

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997

 

76

 

Schedule 8--Indexation of amounts

 

78

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

78

 

Schedule 9--University name change

 

80

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

80

 

Schedule 10--New Zealand citizens

 

81

 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

81

 

 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

1 

 

A Bill for an Act to amend legislation relating to 

higher education and research, and for other 

purposes 

The Parliament of Australia enacts: 

1  Short title 

 

  This Act may be cited as the Higher Education and Research 

Reform Amendment Act 2014

2  Commencement 

 

(1)  Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table 

commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with 

10 

column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect 

11 

according to its terms. 

12 

 

13 

   

   

 

 

2 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Commencement information 

Column 1 

Column 2 

Column 3 

Provisions 

Commencement 

Date/Details 

1.  Sections 1 to 3 

and anything in 

this Act not 

elsewhere covered 

by this table 

The day this Act receives the Royal Assent. 

 

2.  Schedules 1 to 

1 January 2016. 

1 January 2016 

3.  Schedule 4 

1 July 2016. 

1 July 2016 

4.  Schedule 5, 

Part 1 

The day after this Act receives the Royal 

Assent. 

 

5.  Schedule 5, 

Parts 2 to 4 and 

Schedule 6 

1 January 2016. 

1 January 2016 

6.  Schedule 7 

1 July 2015. 

1 July 2015 

7.  Schedule 8 

1 January 2016. 

1 January 2016 

8.  Schedule 9 

The day after this Act receives the Royal 

Assent. 

 

9.  Schedule 10 

1 January 2015. 

1 January 2015 

Note: 

This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally 

enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of 

this Act. 

 

(2)  Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. 

Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it 

may be edited, in any published version of this Act. 

3  Schedules 

 

(1)  Legislation that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or 

repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule 

concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect 

10 

according to its terms. 

11 

 

(2)  The amendment of any instrument under subsection (1) does not 

12 

prevent the instrument, as so amended, from being amended or 

13 

repealed by the Minister. 

14 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

3 

 

Schedule 1

--Deregulation, expansion of 

demand driven system and other 

measures 

Part 1

--Main amendments 

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  Paragraphs 3-10(a) and (b) 

Repeal the paragraphs, substitute: 

 

(a)  HECS-HELP assistance for tuition fees; 

2  Division 5 

Repeal the Division, substitute: 

10 

Division 5--Application of Act to certain international 

11 

providers 

12 

5-1  Application of Act to certain international providers 

13 

International providers 

14 

 

(1)  This section applies to a higher education provider that: 

15 

 

(a)  was not established under the law of the Commonwealth, a 

16 

State or a Territory; and 

17 

 

(b)  does not have its central management and control in 

18 

Australia. 

19 

The higher education provider is an international provider

20 

Note: 

Higher education providers covered by subsection 16-5(1A) are 

21 

international providers (though others might also be approved). 

22 

General application of Act 

23 

 

(2)  A provision of this Act that is not listed in the table in 

24 

subsection (3) or referred to in subsection (4) applies to: 

25 

 

(a)  the 

*

international provider; and 

26 

 

(b)  the 

*

Australian branch of the provider; and 

27 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

4 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

 

(c)  students undertaking or proposing to undertake units of study 

at the branch. 

Modified application 

 

(3)  The provisions of this Act listed in the table apply to an 

*

international provider in the way set out in the table. 

 

Application of Act to international providers 

Item 

Provision 

Application 

Subdivision 19-C (Quality 

requirements) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider. However, 

*

TEQSA may need to 

assess the overall performance of the 

provider as it relates to that branch. 

Subdivision 19-D (Fairness 

requirements) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider and to students undertaking or 

proposing to undertake units of study at that 

branch. 

Subdivision 19-F (Tuition 

fee requirements) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider and to students undertaking or 

proposing to undertake units of study at that 

branch. 

Part 3-2 (HECS-HELP 

assistance) 

Applies to eligible students of the 

*

Australian 

branch of the provider, but only for units of 

study in which the students are enrolled at the 

Australian branch. 

Part 3-4 (OS-HELP 

assistance) 

Applies to eligible students of the 

*

Australian 

branch of the provider. 

Part 3-5 (SA-HELP 

assistance) 

Applies to eligible students of the 

*

Australian 

branch of the provider who are enrolled at the 

Australian branch in a 

*

course of study or 

*

bridging course for overseas-trained 

professionals. 

Chapter 4 (Repayment of 

loans) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider and to students undertaking, or 

students who undertook, units of study at that 

branch. 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

5 

 

Application of Act to international providers 

Item 

Provision 

Application 

Part 5-2 (Administrative 

requirements on higher 

education providers) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider and to students undertaking or 

proposing to undertake units of study at that 

branch. 

Part 5-3 (Electronic 

communications) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider and to students undertaking or 

proposing to undertake units of study at that 

branch. 

10 

Part 5-4 (Management of 

information) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider and to students undertaking or 

proposing to undertake units of study at that 

branch. 

11 

Part 5-5 (Tax file numbers) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider and to students undertaking or 

proposing to undertake units of study at that 

branch. 

12 

Part 5-7 (Review of 

decisions) 

Applies to the 

*

Australian branch of the 

provider and to students undertaking or 

proposing to undertake units of study at that 

branch. 

 

Provisions that do not apply to international providers 

 

(4)  Schedule 1A (VET FEE-HELP Assistance Scheme) does not apply 

to: 

 

(a)  an 

*

international provider; or 

 

(b)  the 

*

Australian branch of the international provider; or 

 

(c)  students in their capacity as students of that provider or of 

that branch. 

3  Section 13-1 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

10 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

6 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

13-1  Simplified outline of this Part 

Generally, a body corporate must be a higher education provider as 

defined in this Part before: 

 

(a) 

it can receive grants under this Chapter; or 

 

(b) 

its students can receive assistance under Chapter 3. 

A body corporate is a higher education provider as defined in this 

Part if the Minister approves it or if it is automatically treated as 

having been approved. All must be registered higher education 

providers as defined in the TEQSA Act. 

A body corporate‟s status (including an automatic status) as a 

10 

higher education provider can be revoked in circumstances such as 

11 

a breach of a quality and accountability requirement. 

12 

4  Division 16 (heading) 

13 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

14 

Division 16--Higher education providers 

15 

5  Section 16-1 

16 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

17 

16-1  Meaning of higher education provider 

18 

 

  A higher education provider is a 

*

registered higher education 

19 

provider that is approved under this Division. 

20 

Note: 

registered higher education provider has the same meaning as in 

21 

the TEQSA Act. Under that Act, only a regulated entity may apply to 

22 

become a registered higher education provider (see section 18 of that 

23 

Act). A regulated entity is defined to mean: 

24 

(a)  a constitutional corporation (meaning a corporation to which 

25 

paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies); or 

26 

(b)  a corporation established by or under a law of the 

27 

Commonwealth or a Territory; or 

28 

(c)  a person who conducts activities in a Territory. 

29 

6  Subsections 16-5(1A) and (2) 

30 

Repeal the subsections, substitute: 

31 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

7 

 

 

(1A)  A body corporate that was a Table C provider immediately before 

the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education and 

Research Reform Amendment Act 2014 is taken to be approved as a 

higher education provider from the commencement of that 

Schedule. However, this subsection does not prevent the provider 

from ceasing to be a higher education provider as referred to in 

subsection (3). 

 

(2)  A body corporate that is not a higher education provider within the 

meaning of this Act becomes a higher education provider if 

approved by the Minister under section 16-25. 

10 

7  Section 16-22 

11 

Repeal the section. 

12 

8  Paragraph 16-25(1)(a) 

13 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

14 

 

(a)  the body is a 

*

registered higher education provider; and 

15 

9  Paragraphs 16-25(1)(b), (da) and (db) 

16 

Repeal the paragraphs. 

17 

10  After subsection 16-25(2) 

18 

Insert: 

19 

 

(2A)  Despite subsection (3), the Minister may be satisfied that a person 

20 

is a fit and proper person if 

*

TEQSA advises the Minister that the 

21 

person is a fit and proper person. 

22 

11  Section 16-27 

23 

Repeal the section. 

24 

12  Paragraph 19-1(f) 

25 

Omit "

*

compact and academic freedom requirements", substitute 

26 

"

*

academic freedom requirements". 

27 

13  At the end of Subdivision 19-A of Division 19 

28 

Add: 

29 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

8 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

19-2  TEQSA's role 

 

  The Minister may have regard to the advice or recommendations of 

*

TEQSA on any matter relating to the 

*

quality and accountability 

requirements, including whether a higher education provider is 

willing and able to meet, or meets, those requirements. 

14  Section 19-12 

Omit "must", substitute "may". 

15  Subsections 19-35(4) and (5) 

Repeal the subsections. 

16  Paragraph 19-45(1)(c) 

10 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

11 

 

(c)  a review procedure for dealing with review of decisions made 

12 

by the provider relating to assistance under Chapter 3. 

13 

17  Subsection 19-45(4) 

14 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

15 

Guidelines may provide for matters relating to reviews 

16 

 

(4)  The Higher Education Provider Guidelines may provide for matters 

17 

relating to reviews of decisions made by higher education 

18 

providers relating to assistance under Chapter 3, including 

19 

procedures that are to be followed by 

*

review officers when 

20 

reviewing those decisions. 

21 

18  Section 19-50 

22 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

23 

19-50  Higher education providers to appoint review officers 

24 

 

(1)  A higher education provider must appoint a 

*

review officer to 

25 

undertake reviews of decisions made by the provider relating to 

26 

assistance under Chapter 3. 

27 

Note: 

The Secretary may delegate to the review officer the power to 

28 

reconsider decisions of the provider under Division 209--see 

29 

subsection 238-1(2). 

30 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

9 

 

 

(2)  A review officer of a higher education provider is a person, or a 

person included in a class of persons, whom: 

 

(a)  the chief executive officer of the provider; or 

 

(b)  a delegate of the chief executive officer of the provider; 

has appointed to be a review officer of the provider for the 

purposes of reviewing decisions made by the provider relating to 

assistance under Chapter 3. 

19  Subsection 19-60(1) 

Omit "section 36-20 or". 

20  Subsection 19-70(3) 

10 

Repeal the subsection. 

11 

21  Subdivision 19-F of Division 19 (heading) 

12 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

13 

Subdivision 19-F--The tuition fee requirements 

14 

22  Sections 19-85 to 19-100 

15 

Repeal the sections, substitute: 

16 

19-85  Basic requirements 

17 

 

(1)  A higher education provider must charge any 

*

tuition fees it 

18 

charges students: 

19 

 

(a)  in relation to units of study; and 

20 

 

(b)  in accordance with this Act. 

21 

 

(2)  A higher education provider that charges a 

*

domestic student a 

22 

*

tuition fee for a unit of study must issue the student with an 

23 

invoice specifying the fee. 

24 

 

(3)  The invoice, and the issue of the invoice, must comply with any 

25 

requirements prescribed by the Administration Guidelines. 

26 

19-100  Limits on fees for courses of study 

27 

 

  A higher education provider must not charge a 

*

domestic student a 

28 

*

fee for a 

*

course of study that exceeds the sum of the student‟s 

29 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

10 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

*

tuition fees for all of the units of study undertaken with the 

provider by the student as part of the course. 

23  Paragraph 19-102(3)(d) 

Repeal the paragraph. 

24  Paragraph 19-102(3)(f) 

Omit "provider; or", substitute "provider.". 

25  Paragraph 19-102(3)(g) 

Repeal the paragraph. 

26  Section 19-105 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

10 

19-105  Meaning of tuition fee 

11 

 

  A 

*

fee charged to a student by a higher education provider is a 

12 

tuition fee for a unit of study to the extent to which the fee is 

13 

directly in respect of the provision of the unit. 

14 

27  Subdivision 19-G of Division 19 (heading) 

15 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

16 

Subdivision 19-G--The academic freedom requirements 

17 

28  Section 19-110 

18 

Repeal the section. 

19 

29  Subsections 22-10(1), (3) and (5) 

20 

Repeal the subsections. 

21 

30  After subsection 22-17(1) 

22 

Insert: 

23 

 

(1A)  Despite subsection (2), the Minister may be satisfied that a person 

24 

is not a fit and proper person if 

*

TEQSA advises the Minister that 

25 

the person is not a fit and proper person. 

26 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

11 

 

31  Section 27-1 (note) 

Repeal the note. 

32  Section 27-5 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

27-5  Guidelines 

 

  The grants payable under this Part are also dealt with in the 

Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines. The provisions of this 

Part indicate when a particular matter is, or may be, dealt with in 

these Guidelines. 

Note: 

The Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines are made by the 

10 

Minister under section 238-10. 

11 

33  Section 30-1 

12 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

13 

30-1  Eligibility for grants 

14 

 

  A grant under this Part is payable, as a benefit to students, to a 

15 

higher education provider in respect of a year, if there is a funding 

16 

agreement under section 30-25 between the provider and the 

17 

Commonwealth in respect of a period that includes that year. 

18 

34  Subsection 30-10(1) 

19 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

20 

 

(1)  Before the commencement of a year, the Minister may, for that 

21 

year, allocate a specified 

*

number of Commonwealth supported 

22 

places to a higher education provider in relation to 

*

designated 

23 

courses of study. 

24 

35  Subsection 30-10(4) 

25 

Repeal the subsection. 

26 

36  Subsection 30-12(1) 

27 

Omit "in relation to a 

*

Table A provider". 

28 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

12 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

37  After paragraph 30-12(1)(b) 

Insert: 

 

(ba) 

*

enabling courses; 

38  Sections 30-15 and 30-20 

Repeal the sections. 

39  Paragraphs 30-25(3)(cb) and (e) 

Repeal the paragraphs. 

40  At the end of subsection 30-25(3) 

Add: 

 

; and (h)  requirements in relation to participation in surveys of student 

10 

satisfaction, employer satisfaction and graduate outcomes; 

11 

and 

12 

 

(i)  requirements in relation to information that the provider must 

13 

make publicly available. 

14 

41  Section 30-27 

15 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

16 

30-27  Funding agreement may specify maximum basic grant 

17 

amounts 

18 

 

(1)  A funding agreement may specify a maximum basic grant amount 

19 

payable to a higher education provider for a grant year for: 

20 

 

(a) 

*

designated courses of study; and 

21 

 

(b) 

*

non-designated courses of study. 

22 

 

(2)  The 

*

maximum basic grant amount for a higher education provider 

23 

for 

*

designated courses of study must not be less than the amount 

24 

worked out under subsection 33-5(3) for the provider for the grant 

25 

year. 

26 

 

(3)  The 

*

maximum basic grant amount for a higher education provider 

27 

for 

*

non-designated courses of study must not be less than: 

28 

 

(a)  if a maximum basic grant amount was specified in the 

29 

provider‟s funding agreement for the preceding year for 

30 

non-designated courses of study--that specified amount; or 

31 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

13 

 

 

(b)  if a maximum basic grant amount was not specified in the 

provider‟s funding agreement for the preceding year for 

non-designated courses of study--the amount worked out 

under paragraph 33-5(4)(a) for the provider for the preceding 

year. 

42  Subparagraph 33-1(1)(b)(iii) 

Omit "year; and", substitute "year.". 

43  Subparagraphs 33-1(1)(b)(iv) and (v) 

Repeal the subparagraphs. 

44  Section 33-5 

10 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

11 

33-5  Basic grant amounts 

12 

 

(1)  The basic grant amount for a higher education provider for a year 

13 

is the sum of: 

14 

 

(a)  the amount for 

*

designated courses of study (see 

15 

subsection (2)); and 

16 

 

(b)  the amount for 

*

non-designated courses of study (see 

17 

subsections (4) and (5)). 

18 

Amount for designated courses of study 

19 

 

(2)  For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), the amount for 

*

designated 

20 

courses of study is the lesser of: 

21 

 

(a)  the sum of the amounts worked out, for each 

*

funding cluster 

22 

in which the provider has provided places in designated 

23 

courses of study, by multiplying: 

24 

 

(i)  the 

*

number of Commonwealth supported places 

25 

provided by the provider in designated courses of study 

26 

in that funding cluster; by 

27 

 

(ii)  the 

*

Commonwealth contribution amount for a place in 

28 

that funding cluster; and 

29 

 

(b)  either: 

30 

 

(i)  if there is a 

*

maximum basic grant amount specified in 

31 

the provider‟s funding agreement for designated courses 

32 

of study--that specified amount; or 

33 

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(ii)  if there is no maximum basic grant amount specified in 

the provider‟s funding agreement for designated courses 

of study--the amount worked out under subsection (3). 

 

(3)  For the purposes of subparagraph (2)(b)(ii), the amount is the sum 

of the amounts worked out, for each 

*

funding cluster to which the 

Minister has allocated places to the provider under section 30-10, 

by multiplying: 

 

(a)  the 

*

number of Commonwealth supported places allocated to 

that funding cluster; by 

 

(b)  the 

*

Commonwealth contribution amount for a place in that 

10 

funding cluster. 

11 

Amount for 

*

non-designated courses of study 

12 

 

(4)  For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) and subject to subsection (5), 

13 

the amount for 

*

non-designated courses of study is the lesser of: 

14 

 

(a)  the sum of the amounts worked out, for each 

*

funding cluster 

15 

in which the provider has provided places in non-designated 

16 

courses of study, by multiplying: 

17 

 

(i)  the 

*

number of Commonwealth supported places 

18 

provided by the provider in non-designated courses of 

19 

study in that funding cluster; by 

20 

 

(ii)  the 

*

Commonwealth contribution amount for a place in 

21 

that funding cluster; and 

22 

 

(b)  the 

*

maximum basic grant amount specified in the provider‟s 

23 

funding agreement in relation to non-designated courses of 

24 

study. 

25 

 

(5)  If a 

*

maximum basic grant amount is not specified in the provider‟s 

26 

funding agreement in relation to 

*

non-designated courses of study, 

27 

the amount for non-designated courses of study is the amount 

28 

worked out under paragraph (4)(a). 

29 

45  Section 33-10 

30 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

31 

33-10  Commonwealth contribution amounts 

32 

 

  The Commonwealth contribution amount, for a place in a 

33 

*

funding cluster, is: 

34 

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(a)  for a place provided by a higher education provider registered 

under the 

*

TEQSA Act in a provider category that permits 

the use of the word "university"--the amount specified in the 

table for the cluster the place is in; or 

 

(b)  otherwise--the amount specified in the table for the cluster 

the place is in, multiplied by 0.70 and rounded down to the 

nearest dollar. 

 

Commonwealth contribution amount 

Item 

Funding cluster 

Commonwealth 

contribution amount 

Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, 

Commerce 

$1,805 

Humanities, Social Studies, Communications 

$6,021 

Computing, Built Environment, Education, 

Creative Arts, Behavioural Science, Welfare 

Studies, Other Health 

$9,033 

Engineering, Science, Surveying, Environmental 

Science, Allied Health, Nursing, Clinical 

Psychology, Foreign Languages 

$12,045 

Agriculture, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary 

Science 

$18,067 

 

Note: 

Commonwealth contribution amounts are indexed under Part 5-6. 

10 

46  Section 36-5 

11 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

12 

36-5  Meaning of Commonwealth supported student 

13 

 

  A person is a Commonwealth supported student, in relation to a 

14 

unit of study, if: 

15 

 

(a)  the higher education provider with which he or she is 

16 

enrolled in that unit has advised the person in writing that he 

17 

or she is a Commonwealth supported student: 

18 

 

(i)  in relation to the unit; or 

19 

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Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

16 

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No.      , 2014 

 

 

(ii)  if the person is undertaking a 

*

course of study with the 

provider of which the unit forms a part--in relation to 

that course of study; and 

 

(b)  the provider was not prohibited from so advising the person 

under section 36-10; and 

 

(c)  at the end of the 

*

census date for the unit, the person is not 

prevented from being a Commonwealth supported student 

under section 36-15. 

47  Paragraph 36-10(1)(e) 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

10 

 

(e)  the person enrolled in the unit on or before the 

*

census date 

11 

for the unit. 

12 

48  Subsections 36-10(3), (4), (5), (7), (8), (9) and (10) 

13 

Repeal the subsections. 

14 

49  Section 36-15 (heading) 

15 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

16 

36-15  Persons prevented from being Commonwealth supported 

17 

50  Subsections 36-15(1A) and (1) 

18 

Repeal the subsections, substitute: 

19 

 

(1)  Despite any advice given to a person by a higher education 

20 

provider, the person is not a 

*

Commonwealth supported student in 

21 

relation to a unit of study if the person is not enrolled in the unit at 

22 

the end of the 

*

census date for the unit. 

23 

 

(1A)  Despite any advice given to a person by a higher education 

24 

provider, the person is not a 

*

Commonwealth supported student in 

25 

relation to a unit of study if the person has not done both of the 

26 

following on or before the 

*

census date for the unit: 

27 

 

(a)  completed, and signed, a 

*

request for Commonwealth 

28 

assistance in relation to the unit or, where the unit forms part 

29 

of a 

*

course of study undertaken with the provider, in relation 

30 

to the course of study; 

31 

 

(b)  given it to an 

*

appropriate officer of the provider. 

32 

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No.      , 2014 

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(1B)  Despite any advice given to a person by a higher education 

provider, the person is not a 

*

Commonwealth supported student in 

relation to a unit of study if: 

 

(a)  the unit contributes to the requirements of a 

*

course of study; 

and 

 

(b)  the course of study is, or is to be, undertaken by the person 

primarily at an overseas campus. 

 

(1C)  Despite any advice given to a person by a higher education 

provider, the person is not a 

*

Commonwealth supported student in 

relation to a unit of study if: 

10 

 

(a)  the enrolment is in an 

*

employer reserved place; or 

11 

 

(b)  the unit forms part of a 

*

bridging course for overseas-trained 

12 

professionals; or 

13 

 

(c)  the unit forms part of a course to which a determination 

14 

under subsection (2) applies. 

15 

 

(1D)  Despite any advice given to a person by a higher education 

16 

provider, the person is not a 

*

Commonwealth supported student in 

17 

relation to a unit of study if he or she notifies an 

*

appropriate 

18 

officer of the provider, in writing on or before the 

*

census date for 

19 

the unit, that he or she does not wish to be a Commonwealth 

20 

supported student in relation to the unit. 

21 

51  Sections 36-20 to 36-24C 

22 

Repeal the sections. 

23 

52  Subdivision 36-C of Division 36 (heading) 

24 

Repeal the heading. 

25 

53  Paragraph 36-25(1)(b) 

26 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

27 

 

(b)  the provider is not prohibited under section 36-10 from so 

28 

advising the person. 

29 

54  Subsection 36-25(2) 

30 

Omit "

*

Table A", substitute "higher education". 

31 

55  Subsection 36-25(2) 

32 

Omit "Table A", substitute "higher education". 

33 

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Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

18 

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No.      , 2014 

 

56  Paragraph 36-25(2)(c) 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

 

(c)  the host provider is not prohibited under section 36-10 from 

so advising the person. 

57  Subsection 36-25(3) 

Omit "subparagraph 36-5(1)(a)(ii)", substitute 

"subparagraph 36-5(a)(ii)". 

58  Sections 36-30 and 36-40 

Repeal the sections, substitute: 

36-30  Providers to enrol persons as Commonwealth supported 

10 

students 

11 

 

(1)  If: 

12 

 

(a)  a person is to be enrolled with a higher education provider in 

13 

a unit of study; and 

14 

 

(b)  the unit forms part of an 

*

undergraduate course of study; and 

15 

 

(c)  the provider is not prohibited under section 36-10 from 

16 

advising the person that he or she is a 

*

Commonwealth 

17 

supported student in relation to the unit; 

18 

the provider must advise the person that he or she is a 

19 

Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit. 

20 

 

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to an 

*

undergraduate 

21 

course of study that the Minister, by legislative instrument, 

22 

determines is a 

*

course of study to which subsection (1) does not 

23 

apply. 

24 

59  Subdivision 36-D of Division 36 

25 

Repeal the Subdivision. 

26 

60  Section 36-55 

27 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

28 

36-55  Conditions relating to tuition fees 

29 

 

(1)  A higher education provider must charge any 

*

tuition fees it 

30 

charges persons who are not 

*

Commonwealth supported students 

31 

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19 

 

in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the 

Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines. 

 

(2)  A higher education provider must not charge a 

*

Commonwealth 

supported student a 

*

tuition fee for a unit of study the student 

undertakes as part of an 

*

enabling course. 

61  Section 41-1 (note) 

Repeal the note. 

62  Section 41-10 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

41-10  Eligibility for grants under this Part 

10 

 

(1)  Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a body corporate is eligible for 

11 

grants under this Part in respect of a year for any of the following 

12 

purposes: 

13 

 

(a)  to promote equality of opportunity in higher education; 

14 

 

(b)  to promote the productivity of higher education providers; 

15 

 

(c)  to support national institutes specified in the Other Grants 

16 

Guidelines for the purposes of this paragraph; 

17 

 

(d)  to support the capital development projects of higher 

18 

education providers; 

19 

 

(e)  to assist with the cost of higher education providers‟ 

20 

superannuation liabilities; 

21 

 

(f)  to support research by, and the research capability of, higher 

22 

education providers; 

23 

 

(g)  to support the training of research students; 

24 

 

(h)  to foster collaboration in higher education; 

25 

 

(i)  to foster structural adjustment or reform in higher education; 

26 

 

(j)  for activities that: 

27 

 

(i)  assure and enhance the quality of Australia‟s higher 

28 

education sector; or 

29 

 

(ii)  foster an understanding of the importance of, or 

30 

promote research and scholarship in, science, social 

31 

science or the humanities in Australia; or 

32 

 

(iii)  support open access to higher education across 

33 

Australia. 

34 

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20 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

 

(2)  The Other Grants Guidelines may prescribe matters relating to 

eligibility to receive a grant for a purpose specified in 

subsection (1). If the Guidelines do so, a body corporate is not 

eligible to receive such a grant except in accordance with the 

Guidelines. 

 

(3)  If the Other Grants Guidelines: 

 

(a)  specify a program under which grants for a particular purpose 

specified in subsection (1) are to be paid; and 

 

(b)  specify extra conditions of eligibility to receive a grant under 

the program; 

10 

then a body corporate is not eligible for such a grant unless it 

11 

complies with those extra conditions. 

12 

63  Subsection 41-15(1) 

13 

Omit "the table in". 

14 

64  Subsection 41-50(1) 

15 

Omit "the table in section 41-10", substitute "subsection 41-10(1)". 

16 

65  Section 46-1 (note) 

17 

Repeal the note. 

18 

66  Paragraph 46-13(c) 

19 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

20 

 

(c)  a student of a higher education provider that has a funding 

21 

agreement with the Commonwealth under section 30-25 

22 

satisfies those requirements; and 

23 

67  Section 46-15 

24 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

25 

46-15  Eligibility of higher education providers to receive grants for 

26 

certain Commonwealth scholarships 

27 

 

(1)  Subject to subsection (3), higher education providers that have a 

28 

funding agreement with the Commonwealth under section 30-25 

29 

are eligible to receive a grant from the Commonwealth to pay, as a 

30 

benefit to students, indirectly-paid standard 

*

Commonwealth 

31 

scholarships to their students. 

32 

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No.      , 2014 

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21 

 

 

(2)  Subject to subsection (3), 

*

Table A providers, and higher education 

providers that are registered under the 

*

TEQSA Act in a provider 

category that permits the use of the word "university", are eligible 

to receive a grant from the Commonwealth to pay, as a benefit to 

students, postgraduate research 

*

Commonwealth scholarships. 

 

(3)  The Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines may prescribe matters 

relating to eligibility to receive a grant referred to in subsection (1) 

or (2). If the Guidelines do so, a higher education provider is not 

eligible to receive such a grant except in accordance with the 

Guidelines. 

10 

 

(4)  A provider that is eligible to receive a grant under subsection (1) or 

11 

(2) is an eligible scholarship provider

12 

68  Section 51-1 (note) 

13 

Repeal the note. 

14 

69  Section 65-1 

15 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

16 

65-1  Simplified outline of this Chapter 

17 

The Commonwealth provides 3 kinds of assistance to students: 

18 

 

(a) 

HECS-HELP assistance--to meet a student‟s liability to 

19 

pay tuition fees for units of study; and 

20 

 

(b) 

OS-HELP assistance--for a student who, as part of his 

21 

or her course of study, is to study overseas; and 

22 

 

(c) 

SA-HELP assistance--for a student on whom a student 

23 

services and amenities fee is imposed. 

24 

The Commonwealth pays the assistance to the relevant higher 

25 

education provider, either (in the case of HECS-HELP assistance 

26 

and SA-HELP assistance) to discharge the student‟s liability or (in 

27 

the case of OS-HELP assistance) to pay to students on the 

28 

Commonwealth‟s behalf. 

29 

The assistance is in the form of a loan from the Commonwealth to 

30 

the student (Chapter 4 deals with repayment of loans). 

31 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

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No.      , 2014 

 

70  Section 87-1 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

87-1  Simplified outline of this Part 

A student may be entitled to HECS-HELP assistance for units of 

study if certain requirements are met. 

The amount of assistance to which the student may be entitled is 

based on the student‟s tuition fees for the units, less any up-front 

payments. The assistance is paid to a higher education provider or, 

if the student accesses units through Open Universities Australia, 

that body, to discharge the student‟s liability to pay his or her 

10 

tuition fees. 

11 

Amounts of assistance may form part of a person‟s HELP debts 

12 

that the Commonwealth recovers under Part 4-2. 

13 

71  Section 87-5 (note 1) 

14 

Omit "Note 1", substitute "Note". 

15 

72  Section 87-5 (note 2) 

16 

Repeal the note. 

17 

73  Divisions 90 to 96 

18 

Repeal the Divisions. 

19 

74  Part 3-3 (heading) 

20 

Repeal the heading. 

21 

75  Division 101 

22 

Repeal the Division. 

23 

76  Division 104 (heading) 

24 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

25 

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Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

23 

 

Division 104--Who is entitled to HECS-HELP assistance? 

77  Section 104-1 (heading) 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

104-1  Entitlement to HECS-HELP assistance 

78  Subsection 104-1(1) 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP" (first occurring), substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

79  Paragraphs 104-1(1)(b), (c) and (d) 

Repeal the paragraphs, substitute: 

 

(c)  the 

*

census date for the unit is on or after the 1 January on 

which this paragraph commences; and 

10 

80  Subsection 104-1(2) 

11 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

12 

81  Section 104-2 

13 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

14 

82  Section 104-3 (heading) 

15 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

16 

104-3  Failure by Open Universities Australia to comply with 

17 

HECS-HELP Guidelines etc. 

18 

83  Subsection 104-3(1) 

19 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

20 

84  Subsections 104-3(1) and (2) 

21 

Omit "FEE-HELP Guidelines", substitute "HECS-HELP Guidelines". 

22 

85  Paragraph 104-3(2)(f) 

23 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

24 

86  Subsection 104-3(3) 

25 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

26 

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Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

24 

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No.      , 2014 

 

87  Section 104-4 (heading) 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

104-4  Open Universities Australia's obligations in relation to tuition 

fees and census dates 

88  Subsection 104-4(1) 

Omit "FEE-HELP Guidelines", substitute "HECS-HELP Guidelines". 

89  Subsections 104-4(2), (2AA) and (2A) 

Repeal the subsections, substitute: 

 

(2) 

*

Open Universities Australia must charge any 

*

tuition fees it 

charges students: 

10 

 

(a)  in relation to units of study; and 

11 

 

(b)  in accordance with this Act. 

12 

 

(2A)  If 

*

Open Universities Australia charges a student a 

*

tuition fee for 

13 

a unit of study during the period, it must issue the student with an 

14 

invoice specifying the fee. 

15 

 

(2B)  The invoice, and the issue of the invoice, must comply with any 

16 

requirements prescribed by the HECS-HELP Guidelines. 

17 

90  Subparagraphs 104-4(5A)(a)(i) and (ii) 

18 

Omit "FEE-HELP Guidelines", substitute "HECS-HELP Guidelines". 

19 

91  Subsection 104-4(6) 

20 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

21 

Consequence of failure to set census date 

22 

 

(6)  If 

*

Open Universities Australia does not determine a 

*

census date 

23 

in accordance with subsection (5) for the unit for the period, no 

24 

student to whom Open Universities Australia provides access to 

25 

the unit for that period is entitled to 

*

HECS-HELP assistance for 

26 

the unit. 

27 

92  Subsections 104-10(1) and (2) 

28 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

29 

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Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

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25 

 

93  Paragraph 104-10(2)(b) 

Omit "FEE-HELP", substitute "HECS-HELP". 

94  Subdivision 104-B of Division 104 (heading) 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

Subdivision 104-B--Provider repayment of HECS-HELP 

assistance 

95  Sections 104-15 to 104-27 

Repeal the sections, substitute: 

104-25  Provider repayment of HECS-HELP assistance--special 

circumstances 

10 

 

(1)  A higher education provider must, on the 

*

Secretary‟s behalf, 

11 

determine that this subsection applies to a person if: 

12 

 

(a)  the person has been enrolled in a unit of study with the 

13 

provider; and 

14 

 

(b)  access to the unit was not provided by 

*

Open Universities 

15 

Australia; and 

16 

 

(c)  the person received 

*

HECS-HELP assistance for the unit; and 

17 

 

(d)  the person has not completed the requirements for the unit 

18 

during the period during which the person undertook, or was 

19 

to undertake the unit; and 

20 

 

(e)  the provider is satisfied that special circumstances apply to 

21 

the person (see section 104-30); and 

22 

 

(f)  the person applies in writing to the provider for the remission 

23 

of the person‟s 

*

HECS-HELP debt in relation to the unit; and 

24 

 

(g)  either: 

25 

 

(i)  the application is made before the end of the application 

26 

period under section 104-35; or 

27 

 

(ii)  the provider, on request made no later than 2 years after 

28 

the end of that period, waives the requirement that the 

29 

application be made before the end of that period, on the 

30 

ground that it would not be, or was not, possible for the 

31 

application to be made before the end of that period. 

32 

Note: 

If this subsection applies, the HECS-HELP debt of the person is 

33 

remitted (see subsection 137-10(4)) and the provider must repay the 

34 

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26 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

amount of the HECS-HELP assistance to the Commonwealth (see 

section 110-5). 

 

(2) 

*

Open Universities Australia must, on the 

*

Secretary‟s behalf, 

determine that this subsection applies to a person if: 

 

(a)  Open Universities Australia provided the person with access 

to a unit of study; and 

 

(b)  the person received 

*

HECS-HELP assistance for the unit; and 

 

(c)  the person has not completed the requirements for the unit 

during the period during which the person undertook, or was 

to undertake, the unit; and 

10 

 

(d)  Open Universities Australia is satisfied that special 

11 

circumstances apply to the person (see section 104-30); and 

12 

 

(e)  the person applies in writing to Open Universities Australia 

13 

for remission of the person‟s 

*

HECS-HELP debt in relation 

14 

to the unit; and 

15 

 

(f)  either: 

16 

 

(i)  the application is made before the end of the application 

17 

period under section 104-35; or 

18 

 

(ii)  Open Universities Australia, on request made no later 

19 

than 2 years after the end of that period, waives the 

20 

requirement that the application be made before the end 

21 

of that period, on the ground that it would not be, or was 

22 

not, possible for the application to be made before the 

23 

end of that period. 

24 

Note: 

If this subsection applies, the HECS-HELP debt of the person is 

25 

remitted (see subsection 137-10(4)) and Open Universities Australia 

26 

must repay the amount of the HECS-HELP assistance to the 

27 

Commonwealth (see section 110-5). 

28 

 

(3)  If a higher education provider or 

*

Open Universities Australia is 

29 

unable to act for one or more of the purposes of subsection (1) or 

30 

(2), or section 104-30, 104-35 or 104-40, the 

*

Secretary may act as 

31 

if one or more of the references in those provisions to the provider 

32 

or Open Universities Australia were a reference to the Secretary. 

33 

 

(4)  If a determination made under this section is made in writing, the 

34 

determination is not a legislative instrument. 

35 

96  Subsection 104-30(1) 

36 

Omit "paragraph 104-25(1)(c)", substitute "paragraph 104-25(1)(e)". 

37 

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27 

 

97  Subsection 104-30(2) 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

 

(2)  The Administration Guidelines may specify circumstances in 

which a higher education provider will be satisfied of a matter 

referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c). A decision of a higher 

education provider under this section must be in accordance with 

any such guidelines. 

98  Subsection 104-30(3) 

Omit "paragraph 104-25(2)(c)", substitute "paragraph 104-25(2)(d)". 

99  Paragraph 104-35(1)(a) 

10 

Omit "104-25(1)(d) for the re-crediting of the person‟s 

*

FEE-HELP 

11 

balance", substitute "paragraph 104-25(1)(f)". 

12 

100  Paragraph 104-35(1A)(a) 

13 

Omit "104-25(2)(d) for the re-crediting of the person‟s 

*

FEE-HELP 

14 

balance", substitute "104-25(2)(e)". 

15 

101  Paragraph 104-40(1)(a) 

16 

Omit "104-25(1)(d)", substitute "104-25(1)(f)". 

17 

102  Paragraph 104-40(1)(b) 

18 

After "provider", insert ", on request made no later than 2 years after 

19 

the end of that period,". 

20 

103  Paragraph 104-40(1A)(a) 

21 

Omit "104-25(2)(d)", substitute "104-25(2)(e)". 

22 

104  Paragraph 104-40(1A)(b) 

23 

After "Australia", insert ", on request made no later than 2 years after 

24 

the end of that period,". 

25 

105  Section 104-42 

26 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

27 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

28 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

104-42  Provider repayment of HECS-HELP assistance--provider 

ceases to provide course 

 

(1)  A higher education provider must, on the 

*

Secretary‟s behalf, 

determine that this subsection applies to a person if: 

 

(a)  the person has been enrolled in a unit of study with the 

provider; and 

 

(b)  the person received 

*

HECS-HELP assistance for the unit; and 

 

(c)  the person has not completed the requirements for the unit 

during the period during which the person undertook, or was 

to undertake, the unit because the provider ceased to provide 

10 

the unit as a result of ceasing to provide the course of which 

11 

the unit formed part; and 

12 

 

(d)  the 

*

tuition assurance requirements applied to the provider at 

13 

the time the provider ceased to provide the unit; and 

14 

 

(e)  the person chose the option designated under the tuition 

15 

assurance requirements as tuition fee repayment in relation to 

16 

the unit. 

17 

Note: 

If this subsection applies, the HECS-HELP debt of the person is 

18 

remitted (see subsection 137-10(4)) and the provider must repay the 

19 

amount of the HECS-HELP assistance to the Commonwealth (see 

20 

section 110-5). 

21 

 

(2)  If the provider is unable to make the determination referred to in 

22 

subsection (1), the 

*

Secretary may make the determination. 

23 

 

(3)  If a determination made under this section is made in writing, the 

24 

determination is not a legislative instrument. 

25 

106  Subsections 104-55(1) and (3), 104-60(1) and 104-65(1) 

26 

Omit "FEE-HELP Guidelines", substitute "HECS-HELP Guidelines". 

27 

107  Division 107 (heading) 

28 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

29 

Division 107--How are amounts of HECS-HELP assistance 

30 

worked out? 

31 

108  Section 107-1 

32 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

33 

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Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

29 

 

107-1  The amount of HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study 

The amount of 

*

HECS-HELP assistance to which a student is entitled 

for a unit of study is the difference between: 

 

(a)  the student‟s 

*

tuition fee for the unit; and 

 

(b)  the sum of any 

*

up-front payments made in relation to the 

unit. 

109  Subsection 107-5(1) 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

 

(1)  An up-front payment, in relation to a unit of study, is a payment of 

all or part of the student‟s 

*

tuition fee for the unit, other than a 

10 

payment of 

*

HECS-HELP assistance under this Part. 

11 

110  Section 107-10 

12 

Repeal the section. 

13 

111  Division 110 (heading) 

14 

Repeal the heading (not including the note), substitute: 

15 

Division 110--How are amounts of HECS-HELP assistance 

16 

paid? 

17 

112  Subsection 110-1(1) 

18 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

19 

113  Paragraph 110-1(1)(a) 

20 

Omit "FEE-HELP", substitute "HECS-HELP". 

21 

114  Subsection 110-1(2) 

22 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

23 

115  Paragraph 110-1(2)(a) 

24 

Omit "FEE-HELP", substitute "HECS-HELP". 

25 

116  Section 110-5 

26 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

27 

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Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

30 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

110-5  Repayment of HECS-HELP assistance by providers 

 

(1)  A higher education provider must pay to the Commonwealth an 

amount equal to the amount of 

*

HECS-HELP assistance a person 

received for a unit of study with the provider if any of the 

following applies to the person in relation to the unit: 

 

(a)  subsection 104-25(1) (special circumstances); 

 

(b)  subsection 104-42(1) (course ceasing); 

 

(c)  subsection 193-10(1) (no tax file number). 

Note: 

The person‟s HECS-HELP debt in relation to the unit will also be 

remitted (see subsection 137-10(4)). 

10 

 

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply to a higher education provider 

11 

because of the application of subsection 104-25(1) to the person in 

12 

relation to the unit if the person enrolled in the unit in 

13 

circumstances that make it a replacement unit within the meaning 

14 

of the 

*

tuition assurance requirements. 

15 

 

(3)  The Higher Education Provider Guidelines may, in setting out the 

16 

*

tuition assurance requirements, specify, in relation to 

17 

circumstances to which subsection (2) of this section applies: 

18 

 

(a)  the amount (if any) that is to be paid to the Commonwealth; 

19 

and 

20 

 

(b)  the person (if any) who is to pay the amount. 

21 

 

(4) 

*

Open Universities Australia must pay to the Commonwealth an 

22 

amount equal to the amount of 

*

HECS-HELP assistance a person 

23 

received for a unit of study to which Open Universities Australia 

24 

provided access if any of the following applies to the person in 

25 

relation to the unit: 

26 

 

(a)  subsection 104-25(2) (special circumstances); 

27 

 

(b)  subsection 193-10(2) (no tax file number). 

28 

117  Section 129-1 

29 

Omit "(which may attract a repayment bonus)". 

30 

118  Section 134-1 

31 

Omit "FEE-HELP assistance," (first occurring). 

32 

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Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

31 

 

119  Paragraph 137-1(b) 

Repeal the paragraph. 

120  Sections 137-5 and 137-10 

Repeal the sections, substitute. 

137-10  HECS-HELP debts 

Incurring HECS-HELP debts 

 

(1)  A person incurs a debt to the Commonwealth if, under 

section 110-1, the Commonwealth: 

 

(a)  makes a loan to the person; and 

 

(b)  uses the amount lent to make a payment in discharge of the 

10 

person‟s liability to pay his or her 

*

tuition fee for a unit of 

11 

study. 

12 

The debt is a HECS-HELP debt

13 

 

(2)  The amount of the 

*

HECS-HELP debt is the amount of the loan. 

14 

When HECS-HELP debts are incurred 

15 

 

(3)  A 

*

HECS-HELP debt is taken to have been incurred by a person 

16 

immediately after the 

*

census date for the unit, whether or not the 

17 

Commonwealth has made a payment in respect of the person‟s 

18 

*

tuition fee for the unit. 

19 

Remission of HECS-HELP debts 

20 

 

(4)  A person‟s 

*

HECS-HELP debt in relation to a unit of study is taken 

21 

to be remitted if any of the following applies to the person in 

22 

relation to the unit (even if subsection 110-5(2) applies to the 

23 

provider in relation to the unit): 

24 

 

(a)  subsection 104-25(1) or (2) (special circumstances); 

25 

 

(b)  subsection 104-42(1) (course ceasing); 

26 

 

(c)  subsection 193-10(1) or (2) (no tax file number). 

27 

121  Subsection 140-5(1) (example) 

28 

Omit "2011" (wherever occurring), substitute "2014". 

29 

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Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

32 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

122  Subsection 140-5(1) (example) 

Omit "(which includes a voluntary repayment bonus of $25)". 

123  Subsection 140-5(1) (example) 

Omit "2012" (wherever occurring), substitute "2015". 

124  Subsection 140-5(1) (example) 

Omit "2010-11", substitute "2013-14". 

125  Section 148-1 

Omit "In some cases these may attract a 5% repayment bonus.". 

126  Section 151-5 

Repeal the section. 

10 

127  Subparagraph 154-55(1)(a)(i) 

11 

Omit "or 

*

FEE-HELP assistance". 

12 

128  Paragraph 154-55(2)(a) 

13 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

14 

129  Sections 169-15 and 169-20 

15 

Repeal the sections. 

16 

130  Subsection 187-1(2) 

17 

Omit "or 

*

FEE-HELP assistance". 

18 

131  Subsection 193-1(1) (heading) 

19 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

20 

Requests for HECS-HELP assistance--requirements on higher 

21 

education providers 

22 

132  Paragraph 193-1(1)(c) 

23 

Omit "or 

*

FEE-HELP assistance". 

24 

133  Subsection 193-1(2A) (heading) 

25 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

26 

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Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

33 

 

Requests for HECS-HELP assistance--requirements on Open 

Universities Australia 

134  Paragraph 193-1(2A)(c) 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

135  Subsection 193-1(5) 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

Cases where there is no obligation to notify 

 

(5)  This section does not apply to a person if: 

 

(a)  the person, in the 

*

request for Commonwealth assistance, 

requests 

*

HECS-HELP assistance, 

*

OS-HELP assistance or 

10 

*

SA-HELP assistance, but the person is not entitled to the 

11 

assistance; or 

12 

 

(b)  the person, in the request for Commonwealth assistance, 

13 

requests 

*

HECS-HELP assistance in relation to a unit of 

14 

study, but one or more 

*

up-front payments for the unit have 

15 

been made totalling 100% of the person‟s 

*

tuition fee for the 

16 

unit. 

17 

Note: 

In the circumstances set out in paragraph (5)(b), the HECS-HELP 

18 

assistance would not involve any loan by the Commonwealth to the 

19 

person. 

20 

136  Section 193-5 

21 

Repeal the section. 

22 

137  Section 193-10 (heading) 

23 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

24 

193-10  No entitlement to HECS-HELP assistance for students 

25 

without tax file numbers 

26 

138  Paragraph 193-10(1)(e) 

27 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

28 

139  Subsection 193-10(1) (note) 

29 

Repeal the note, substitute: 

30 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

34 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Note: 

If this subsection applies, the HECS-HELP debt of the person is 

remitted (see subsection 137-10(4)) and the provider must repay the 

amount of the HECS-HELP assistance to the Commonwealth (see 

section 110-5). 

140  Paragraph 193-10(2)(e) 

Omit "

*

FEE-HELP", substitute "

*

HECS-HELP". 

141  Subsection 193-10(2) (note) 

Repeal the note, substitute: 

Note: 

If this subsection applies, the HECS-HELP debt of the person is 

remitted (see subsection 137-10(4)) and Open Universities Australia 

10 

must repay the amount of the HECS-HELP assistance to the 

11 

Commonwealth (see section 110-5). 

12 

142  Subsection 198-5(1) (table items 3 and 4) 

13 

Repeal the items. 

14 

143  Section 206-1 (table items 1A, 2 and 2A) 

15 

Repeal the items, substitute: 

16 

 

17 

A decision that 

subsection 104-25(1) 

does not apply to a 

person in relation to a 

unit of study 

section 104-25 

(a) the higher education 

provider with 

whom the student is 

enrolled in the unit; 

or 

(b) if the 

*

Secretary 

made the decision 

that the subsection 

does not apply--the 

Secretary 

2A 

A decision that 

subsection 104-25(2) 

does not apply to a 

person in relation to a 

unit of study 

section 104-25 

(a) 

*

Open Universities 

Australia; or 

(b) if the 

*

Secretary 

made the decision 

that the subsection 

does not apply--the 

Secretary 

 

18 

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Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

35 

 

144  Section 206-1 (note 1) 

Omit "1A,". 

145  Subsection 209-1(2) (note 1) 

Omit "section 36-20 or". 

146  Subsection 238-1(2) 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

 

(2)  The 

*

Secretary may, in writing, delegate to a 

*

review officer of a 

higher education provider the Secretary‟s powers under 

Division 209 to reconsider 

*

reviewable decisions made by the 

provider relating to Chapter 3. 

10 

147  Subsection 238-10(1) (table item 1) 

11 

Omit "section 36-21", substitute "section 104-30". 

12 

148  Subsection 238-10(1) (table item 2) 

13 

Omit "; section 93-10". 

14 

149  Subsection 238-10(1) (table items 4 and 11) 

15 

Repeal the items. 

16 

150  Subsection 238-10(1A) 

17 

Omit "

*

Table C", substitute "

*

international". 

18 

151  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 

19 

Insert: 

20 

academic freedom requirements are the requirements set out in 

21 

Subdivision 19-G. 

22 

152  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of Australian 

23 

branch

24 

Omit "a 

*

Table C", substitute "an 

*

international". 

25 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

36 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

153  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (paragraph (a) of the 

definition of Australian branch

Omit "body corporate that is listed in Table C in section 16-23", 

substitute "international provider". 

154  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of 

Commonwealth contribution amount

Repeal the definition, substitute: 

Commonwealth contribution amount has the meaning given by 

section 33-10. 

155  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of compact and 

10 

academic freedom requirements

11 

Repeal the definition. 

12 

156  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of eligible 

13 

scholarship provider

14 

Omit "subsection 46-15(3)", substitute "subsection 46-15(4)". 

15 

157  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of exempt 

16 

student

17 

Repeal the definition. 

18 

158  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of FEE-HELP 

19 

assistance

20 

Repeal the definition. 

21 

159  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of FEE-HELP 

22 

balance

23 

Repeal the definition. 

24 

160  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of FEE-HELP 

25 

debt

26 

Repeal the definition. 

27 

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Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

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37 

 

161  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of FEE-HELP 

limit

Repeal the definition. 

162  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 

Insert: 

funding cluster means a group of disciplines set out together in an 

item of the table in section 33-10 in the column headed "Funding 

cluster". 

163  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of funding 

clusters

10 

Repeal the definition. 

11 

164  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of HECS-HELP 

12 

debt

13 

Omit "137-5", substitute "137-10". 

14 

165  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of HECS-HELP 

15 

discount

16 

Repeal the definition. 

17 

166  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 

18 

Insert: 

19 

international provider has the meaning given by subsection 5-1(1). 

20 

167  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of maximum 

21 

student contribution amount for a place

22 

Repeal the definition. 

23 

168  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of national 

24 

priority

25 

Repeal the definition. 

26 

169  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (paragraph (a) of the 

27 

definition of request for Commonwealth assistance

28 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

29 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

38 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

 

(a)  in relation to a person enrolling in a unit of study with a 

higher education provider (where access to the unit is not 

provided by 

*

Open Universities Australia)--means a 

document, in the form approved by the Minister, in which the 

person requests the Commonwealth to provide assistance 

under this Act in relation to the unit or, where the unit forms 

part of a 

*

course of study undertaken with the provider, in 

relation to the course of study; and 

170  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of student 

contribution amount

10 

Repeal the definition. 

11 

171  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of student 

12 

contribution amount for a place

13 

Repeal the definition. 

14 

172  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of Table C 

15 

provider

16 

Repeal the definition. 

17 

173  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (paragraph (b) of the 

18 

definition of tuition fee

19 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

20 

 

(b)  in relation to a unit of study, access to which is provided by 

21 

*

Open Universities Australia--means a 

*

fee charged to a 

22 

student by Open Universities Australia to the extent to which 

23 

the fee is directly in respect of the provision of the unit. 

24 

174  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of up-front 

25 

payment

26 

Omit "section 93-15 or". 

27 

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 

28 

175  At the end of subsection 158(3) 

29 

Add: 

30 

 

; and (d)  the circumstances in which fees may be refunded. 

31 

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Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

39 

 

176  Section 192 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

192  Disclosing information to the Minister and Secretary 

 

(1)  For the purposes of administering laws relating to higher 

education, TEQSA may disclose information covered by 

subsection (2) to: 

 

(a)  the Minister; or 

 

(b)  a person employed as a member of staff of the Minister under 

section 13 or 20 of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 

1984; or 

10 

 

(c)  the Secretary. 

11 

 

(2)  This subsection covers the following information: 

12 

 

(a)  higher education information; 

13 

 

(b)  information that would be higher education information but 

14 

for paragraph (c) of the definition of higher education 

15 

information

16 

Note: 

This section allows TEQSA to disclose personal information (within 

17 

the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988) for the purposes of 

18 

administering a law relating to higher education. 

19 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 2  Application, saving and transitional provisions 

 

 

40 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Part 2

--Application, saving and transitional 

provisions 

Division 1

--Introduction 

177  Definitions 

In this Part: 

commencement day means the day this Schedule commences. 

preserved funding student has the meaning given by item 178. 

Division 2

--Preserving certain funding arrangements 

178  Preserved funding students 

(1) 

If subitem (2), (3) or (4) applies in relation to a person at a time before 

10 

1 January 2021, the person is a preserved funding student for the 

11 

purposes of this Part. No person can be a preserved funding student on 

12 

or after 1 January 2021. 

13 

(2) 

This subitem applies in relation to a person at a time if: 

14 

 

(a)  on 13 May 2014, the person was enrolled as a 

15 

Commonwealth supported student in a unit that forms part of 

16 

a course of study with a higher education provider; and 

17 

 

(b)  at all times since 13 May 2014, the person has been either: 

18 

 

(i)  enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in a unit 

19 

that forms part of a course of study with a higher 

20 

education provider; or 

21 

 

(ii)  on an approved break. 

22 

(3) 

This subitem applies in relation to a person at a time if: 

23 

 

(a)  on or before 13 May 2014, the person accepted an offer from 

24 

a higher education provider of a place as a Commonwealth 

25 

supported student in a course of study; and 

26 

 

(b)  as at 13 May 2014, the provider had approved the person‟s 

27 

deferral of enrolment in the course; and 

28 

 

(c)  at all times since 13 May 2014, the person has been either: 

29 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Application, saving and transitional provisions  Part 2 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

41 

 

 

(i)  enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in a unit 

that forms part of a course of study with a higher 

education provider; or 

 

(ii)  on an approved break. 

(4) 

This subitem applies in relation to a person if: 

 

(a)  as at 13 May 2014: 

 

(i)  the person had accepted an offer from a higher 

education provider of a place as a Commonwealth 

supported student in a course of study; and 

 

(ii)  the period for enrolment in the course of study had not 

10 

ended; and 

11 

 

(b)  before the end of that period, the person enrolled as a 

12 

Commonwealth supported student in one or more units that 

13 

formed part of the course of study; and 

14 

 

(c)  at all times since the person did so, the person has been 

15 

either: 

16 

 

(i)  enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in a unit 

17 

that forms part of a course of study with a higher 

18 

education provider; or 

19 

 

(ii)  on an approved break. 

20 

(5) 

A person is on an approved break at a time for the purposes of this item 

21 

if any of the following applies at the time: 

22 

 

(a)  a higher education provider has formally approved the 

23 

person‟s deferring the commencement of, or taking leave 

24 

from, a course of study and the approval is in effect; 

25 

 

(b)  the only reason the person is not currently enrolled in a unit 

26 

of study with a higher education provider is that the time is 

27 

not during the provider‟s standard academic periods; 

28 

 

(c)  the person completed a course of study with a higher 

29 

education provider less than 12 months ago and intends to 

30 

begin another course of study that has not yet commenced; 

31 

 

(d)  the person meets the requirements in the Administration 

32 

Guidelines made under the Higher Education Support Act 

33 

2003

34 

(6) 

The Administration Guidelines made under the Higher Education 

35 

Support Act 2003 may prescribe requirements for the purposes of 

36 

paragraph (5)(d). 

37 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 2  Application, saving and transitional provisions 

 

 

42 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

179  Transitional provision to cap fees 

(1) 

If a preserved funding student is enrolled with a higher education 

provider in a unit of study as a Commonwealth supported student, the 

provider must not charge, as the person‟s tuition fee for the unit, an 

amount that exceeds the amount worked out as follows: 

 

Maximum student contribution

EFTSL value of unit

amount for a place

 

(2) 

The maximum student contribution amount for a place in a unit of 

study is the amount that would have been the maximum student 

contribution amount for a place in that unit under section 93-10 of the 

Higher Education Support Act 2003 if: 

10 

 

(a)  section 93-10 of that Act, and the funding clusters mentioned 

11 

in the table in that section, as in force immediately before the 

12 

commencement day were still in force; and 

13 

 

(b)  the amounts mentioned in Column 2 of the table in that 

14 

section had been indexed and replaced on each 1 January on 

15 

and after 1 January 2016 in accordance with Part 5-6 of that 

16 

Act as in force on the relevant 1 January. 

17 

(3) 

Except as provided by subitem (2), an expression that is used in the 

18 

Higher Education Support Act 2003 has the same meaning in this item 

19 

as in that Act. This subitem does not affect the operation of section 11B 

20 

of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 in relation to other items of this 

21 

Schedule. 

22 

180  Transitional provision to preserve funding 

23 

(1) 

In working out the basic grant amount for a higher education provider 

24 

for a year for the purposes of Division 33 of the Higher Education 

25 

Support Act 2003, use the Commonwealth contribution amount in 

26 

subitem (2) in relation to places in a funding cluster that are provided to 

27 

preserved funding students. 

28 

(2) 

For the purposes of subitem (1), the Commonwealth contribution 

29 

amount for a place in a funding cluster is the amount that, under 

30 

subitem (3), is taken to be specified in the following table. 

31 

 

32 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Application, saving and transitional provisions  Part 2 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

43 

 

Commonwealth contribution amount: preserved funding students 

Item 

Funding cluster 

Commonwealth 

contribution amount 

Law, Accounting, Administration, 

Economics, Commerce 

$1,961 

Humanities 

$5,447 

Mathematics, Statistics, Behavioural 

Science, Social Studies, Computing, 

Built Environment, Other Health 

$9,637 

Education 

$10,026 

Clinical Psychology, Allied Health, 

Foreign Languages, Visual and 

Performing Arts 

$11,852 

Nursing 

$13,232 

Engineering, Science, Surveying 

$16,850 

Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary 

Science, Agriculture 

$21,385 

(3) 

On 1 January 2016 and each subsequent 1 January, an amount specified 

in the table is to be indexed under Part 5-6 of the Higher Education 

Support Act 2003, as if it were an amount referred to in the table in 

section 198-5 of that Act. The indexed amount (or if the amount is not 

indexed because its indexation factor is 1 or less, the unindexed 

amount) is taken to be the amount specified in the table on and from 

that 1 January. 

(4) 

Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines made for the purposes of 

section 33-35 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and in force 

immediately before the commencement day continue to have effect for 

10 

the purposes of subitem (1). 

11 

(5) 

Except as provided by subitem (2), an expression that is used in the 

12 

Higher Education Support Act 2003 has the same meaning in this item 

13 

as in that Act. This subitem does not affect the operation of section 11B 

14 

of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 in relation to other items of this 

15 

Schedule. 

16 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 2  Application, saving and transitional provisions 

 

 

44 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Division 3

--Other application, saving and transitional 

provisions 

181  Tuition fee requirements 

(1) 

The following amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to 

units of study that have a census date on or after the commencement 

day: 

 

(a)  the amendments of Subdivision 19-F of Division 19 of the 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

 

(b)  the amendments made by item 89. 

(2) 

Section 19-100 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 as amended 

10 

by this Schedule applies on and after the commencement day in relation 

11 

to a course of study that a student was undertaking, but had not 

12 

completed, immediately before that day, as if the reference to the sum 

13 

of the student‟s tuition fees for units of study undertaken by the student 

14 

included a reference to the student‟s student contribution amounts (if 

15 

any) for units of study that had a census date before the commencement 

16 

day. 

17 

182  Savings provision in relation to student 

18 

contribution/tuition fee repayment option 

19 

A reference in the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to a person 

20 

choosing the option designated under the tuition assurance requirements 

21 

as tuition fee repayment in relation to a unit of study includes a 

22 

reference to the option designated under those requirements as student 

23 

contribution/tuition fee repayment. 

24 

183  Grants 

25 

The amendments of Divisions 30, 33, 41 and 46 of the Higher 

26 

Education Support Act 2003 made by this Schedule apply in relation to 

27 

years commencing on and after the commencement day. 

28 

184  Indexation of Commonwealth contribution amounts 

29 

under Part 5-6 

30 

A Commonwealth contribution amount referred to in section 33-10 of 

31 

the Higher Education Support Act 2003 as amended by this Schedule is 

32 

not to be indexed on 1 January 2016. 

33 

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Application, saving and transitional provisions  Part 2 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

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45 

 

185  Commonwealth supported students 

(1) 

The Minister may, before the commencement day, allocate places under 

section 30-10 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 for the year 

beginning on the commencement day, in accordance with that section as 

it will be in force on that day. 

(2) 

The amendments of Division 36 of the Higher Education Support Act 

2003 made by this Schedule apply in relation to units of study that have 

a census date on or after the commencement day. 

186  Transitional provision for bodies currently eligible for 

grants under section 41-10 

10 

(1) 

This item applies to a body corporate if, immediately before the 

11 

commencement day, the body corporate was specified in the Other 

12 

Grants Guidelines for the purposes of an item of the table in 

13 

subsection 41-10(1) of the Higher Education Support Act 2003

14 

(2) 

Despite the repeal of the table, the body corporate continues to be 

15 

eligible for a grant under subsection 41-10(1) of the Act as amended by 

16 

this Schedule for an equivalent purpose, until the Minister amends the 

17 

Other Grants Guidelines in a way that prevents the body corporate from 

18 

being eligible for a grant for the purpose. 

19 

187  Transitional provision for bodies currently ineligible for 

20 

grants under section 41-10 

21 

(1) 

This item applies to a body corporate if, immediately before the 

22 

commencement day, the body corporate was not eligible for a grant for 

23 

a purpose specified in an item of the table in subsection 41-10(1) of the 

24 

Higher Education Support Act 2003

25 

(2) 

Despite the amendments of that section made by this Schedule, the body 

26 

corporate continues not to be eligible for a grant under that section for 

27 

an equivalent purpose, until the Minister amends the Other Grants 

28 

Guidelines in a way that allows the body corporate to be eligible for a 

29 

grant for the purpose. 

30 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 2  Application, saving and transitional provisions 

 

 

46 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

188  Transitional provision about eligibility for section 46-15 

Commonwealth scholarship grants 

(1) 

This item applies to a higher education provider if, immediately before 

the commencement day, the provider was not eligible to receive a grant 

of a kind referred to in section 46-15 of the Higher Education Support 

Act 2003

(2) 

Despite the amendments of that section made by this Schedule, the 

provider continues not to be eligible to receive such a grant, until the 

Minister amends the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines in a way 

that allows the provider to be eligible for such a grant. 

10 

189  HELP loan amendments 

11 

(1) 

The following amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to 

12 

assistance for units of study that have a census date on or after the 

13 

commencement day: 

14 

 

(a)  the repeal of Divisions 90 to 96 of the Higher Education 

15 

Support Act 2003

16 

 

(b)  the amendments of Division 104; 

17 

 

(c)  the amendments of Division 107; 

18 

 

(d)  the amendments of Division 110; 

19 

 

(e)  the amendments of Division 137. 

20 

(2) 

A HELP debt incurred and not discharged before the commencement 

21 

day continues to be a HELP debt for the purposes of the operation of 

22 

Part 4-1 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 on and after that 

23 

day. 

24 

190  HELP assistance given before commencement 

25 

(1) 

The Higher Education Support Act 2003 applies on and after the 

26 

commencement day as if a reference in a provision of the Act specified 

27 

in subitem (2) to HECS-HELP assistance included a reference to: 

28 

 

(a)  HECS-HELP assistance under Part 3-2 of the Act as in force 

29 

before the commencement day; and 

30 

 

(b)  FEE-HELP assistance under Part 3-3 of the Act as in force 

31 

before the commencement day. 

32 

(2) 

For the purposes of subitem (1), the provisions are the following: 

33 

 

(a)  section 104-25; 

34 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Application, saving and transitional provisions  Part 2 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

47 

 

 

(b)  section 104-42; 

 

(c)  section 110-5; 

 

(d)  section 154-55; 

 

(e)  section 193-10. 

(3) 

The Higher Education Support Act 2003 applies on and after the 

commencement day as if a reference in subsection 137-10(4) of that Act 

to a HECS-HELP debt in relation to a unit of study included a reference 

to: 

 

(a)  a HECS-HELP debt incurred before the commencement day; 

and 

10 

 

(b)  a FEE-HELP debt incurred before the commencement day. 

11 

(4) 

If, immediately before the commencement day, a valid application had 

12 

been made under section 36-20 or 104-25 of the Higher Education 

13 

Support Act 2003 but not determined, the application is to be 

14 

determined after the commencement day in accordance with the Act as 

15 

amended by this Schedule, as if the application had been made under 

16 

section 104-25 as amended. 

17 

(5) 

Subparagraph 104-25(2)(f)(ii) of the Higher Education Support Act 

18 

2003 as amended by this Schedule applies in relation to circumstances 

19 

that occurred, and periods that began, before, on or after the 

20 

commencement day. 

21 

191  Reviewable decisions made before commencement day 

22 

(1) 

If, before the commencement day, a decision referred to in item 1A, 2 

23 

or 2A of the table in section 206-1 of the Higher Education Support Act 

24 

2003 was made, then, after the commencement day, the following 

25 

decision is taken to have been made instead of the decision that was 

26 

actually made: 

27 

 

(a)  for a decision referred to in item 1A or 2 of the table--a 

28 

decision that subsection 104-25(1) does not apply to the 

29 

person; 

30 

 

(b)  for a decision referred to in item 2A of the table--a decision 

31 

that subsection 104-25(2) does not apply to the person. 

32 

(2) 

Item 190 of this Schedule applies in relation to the decision that is taken 

33 

to have been made. 

34 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 2  Application, saving and transitional provisions 

 

 

48 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

(3) 

Subitem (1) does not have the effect of changing the day the original 

decision was made. 

192  Savings provision in relation to section 36-21 guidelines 

Administration Guidelines made for the purposes of section 36-21 of 

the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and in force immediately before 

the commencement day continue to have effect after the 

commencement day as if they had been made for the purposes of 

subsection 104-30(2) of that Act. The Guidelines as continued by this 

item may be amended or repealed as if they were Guidelines made 

under section 238-10 of the Act. 

10 

193  Voluntary repayment amendments 

11 

The amendments made by this Schedule in relation to voluntary 

12 

repayments apply in relation to a voluntary repayment made on or after 

13 

the commencement day, regardless of when the debt to which the 

14 

repayment relates was incurred. 

15 

194  Termination of funding agreements 

16 

A funding agreement ceases to be in force at the start of the 

17 

commencement day if the agreement: 

18 

 

(a)  was made before the day this Act receives the Royal Assent; 

19 

and 

20 

 

(b)  was in force immediately before the commencement day. 

21 

195  Transitional rules 

22 

The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules prescribing 

23 

matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or 

24 

application provisions) relating to the amendments or repeals made by 

25 

this Schedule or any other Schedule of this Act. 

26 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Consequential amendments  Part 3 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

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49 

 

Part 3

--Consequential amendments 

Australian National University Act 1991 

196  Subsection 41(2) 

Omit "(2)". 

197  Subsection 41(2) 

Omit "student contribution amounts and". 

198  Paragraph 43(b) 

Repeal the paragraph. 

199  Paragraph 50(2)(u) 

Omit "student contribution amounts and". 

10 

Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 

11 

200  Subparagraph 9AB(1)(b)(ii) 

12 

Omit "a Table C", substitute "an international". 

13 

201  Section 16 

14 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

15 

16  Only Australian residents and international providers may be 

16 

registered 

17 

 

  A registered provider must be: 

18 

 

(a)  a resident of Australia; or 

19 

 

(b)  an international provider (within the meaning of the Higher 

20 

Education Support Act 2003). 

21 

Note: 

The Minister may take action under Division 1 of Part 6 against a 

22 

registered provider that has breached this section. 

23 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 3  Consequential amendments 

 

 

50 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 

202  Subsection 82A(2) (paragraph (ba) of the definition of 

expenses of self-education

Repeal the paragraph. 

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 

203  Paragraph 26-20(1)(ca) 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

 

(ca)  a tuition fee (within the meaning of the Higher Education 

Support Act 2003) paid to a higher education provider for a 

unit of study in relation to which you are a Commonwealth 

10 

supported student for the purposes of that Act; or 

11 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Amendments of Guidelines  Part 4 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

51 

 

Part 4

--Amendments of Guidelines 

Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines 2012 

204  Paragraph 7.5.1 (table) 

Repeal the table, substitute: 

 

Funding cluster 

Unit description 

FOE code 

Funding cluster 1 

Law, accounting, 

administration, 

economics, commerce 

Management and Commerce 

0800 

Law 

0909 

Economics and Econometrics 

0919 

Food, Hospitality and Personal 

Services 

1100 

Mixed Field Programmes 

1200 

Funding cluster 2 

Humanities, social studies 

and communications 

Political Science and Policy Studies 

0901 

Studies in Human Society 

0903 

Justice and Law Enforcement 

0911 

Librarianship, Information 

Management and Curatorial Studies 

0913 

Language and Literature

1

 

0915 

English Language 

091501 

Linguistics 

091521 

Literature 

091523 

Language and Literature not 

elsewhere classified 

091599 

Philosophy and Religious Studies 

0917 

Other Society and Culture 

0999 

Communication and Media Studies

1

 

1007 

Journalism 

100703 

Written Communication 

100705 

Verbal Communication 

100707 

Communication and Media Studies 

not elsewhere classified 

100799 

Funding cluster 3 

Information Technology 

0200 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 4  Amendments of Guidelines 

 

 

52 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Funding cluster 

Unit description 

FOE code 

Computing, behavioural 

science, welfare studies, 

built environment, 

education, visual and 

performing arts, other 

health 

Architecture and Building 

0400 

Public Health 

0613 

Complementary Therapies 

0619 

Other Health 

0699 

Education 

0700 

Human Welfare Studies and Services 

0905 

Behavioural Science

2

 

0907 

Sport and Recreation 

0921 

Performing Arts 

1001 

Visual Arts and Crafts 

1003 

Graphic and Design Studies 

1005 

Audio Visual Studies 

100701 

Other Creative Arts 

1099 

Funding cluster 4 

Engineering, science, 

nursing, environmental 

studies, allied health, 

clinical psychology, 

languages 

Mathematical Sciences 

0101 

Physics and Astronomy 

0103 

Chemical Sciences 

0105 

Earth Sciences 

0107 

Biological Sciences 

0109 

Other Natural and Physical Sciences

1

 

0199 

Forensic Science 

019903 

Food Science and Biotechnology 

019905 

Pharmacology 

019907 

Laboratory Technology 

019909 

Natural and Physical Sciences not 

elsewhere classified 

019999 

Engineering and Related 

Technologies 

0300 

Environmental Studies 

0509 

Other Agriculture, Environmental and 

related Studies 

0599 

Nursing 

0603 

Pharmacy 

0605 

Optical Science 

0609 

Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures  Schedule 1 

Amendments of Guidelines  Part 4 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

53 

 

Funding cluster 

Unit description 

FOE code 

Radiography 

0615 

Rehabilitation Therapies 

0617 

Clinical psychology

3

 

090701 

Northern European Languages 

091503 

Southern European Languages 

091505 

Eastern European Languages 

091507 

Southwest Asian and North African 

Languages 

091509 

Southern Asian Languages 

091511 

Southeast Asian Languages 

091513 

Eastern Asian Languages 

091515 

Australian Indigenous Languages 

091517 

Translating and Interpreting 

091519 

Funding cluster 5 

Dentistry, medicine, 

veterinary science, 

agriculture 

Medical Science 

019901 

Agriculture 

0501 

Horticulture and Viticulture 

0503 

Forestry Studies 

0505 

Fisheries Studies 

0507 

Medical Studies 

0601 

Dental Studies 

0607 

Veterinary Studies 

0611 

1.  Units of study within these narrow fields of education (4-digit level) should generally be 

assigned to a detailed field (6-digit level). However, if the unit of study cannot be assigned to 

a detailed field, the unit can be assigned to the appropriate narrow field listed in the table for 

the purposes of determining its funding cluster. 

2.  Excluding clinical psychology, which is in Cluster 4. 

3.  Clinical psychology units of study are in Cluster 4 and are psychology units of study (Field of 

Education code 090701) that contribute to courses that are accredited for the purposes of 

professional registration by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Clinical 

Psychologists, the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists, the APS College of 

Counselling Psychologists, the APS College of Educational & Developmental Psychologists, 

10 

the APS College of Forensic Psychologists, the APS College of Health Psychologists, the 

11 

APS College of Sport Psychologists or the APS College of Community Psychologists. 

12 

Schedule 1  Deregulation, expansion of demand driven system and other measures 

Part 5  Repeals of instruments 

 

 

54 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Part 5

--Repeals of instruments 

Higher Education (Designated Courses of Study) 

Specification 2011 

205  The whole of the Determination 

Repeal the Determination. 

New Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme  Schedule 2 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

55 

 

Schedule 2

--New Commonwealth Scholarship 

Scheme 

   

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  At the end of Subdivision 36-F of Division 36 

Add: 

36-75  New Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme 

 

(1)  A higher education provider must, no later than 6 months after the 

end of each year in respect of which a grant is made under this Part 

to the provider, allocate the provider‟s 

*

eligible amount for the year 

10 

for use: 

11 

 

(a)  in accordance with the Commonwealth Grant Scheme 

12 

Guidelines; or 

13 

 

(b)  if there are no Guidelines for the purposes of paragraph (a)--

14 

in accordance with the provider‟s funding agreement for the 

15 

year or period that includes the year. 

16 

Note 1: 

See also section 19-35 (benefits and opportunities must be available 

17 

equally to all students). 

18 

Note 2: 

This Scheme is separate from the Commonwealth scholarships under 

19 

Part 2-4. 

20 

 

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply to a higher education provider in 

21 

relation to a year if: 

22 

 

(a)  circumstances prescribed by the Commonwealth Grant 

23 

Scheme Guidelines exist in relation to the provider; or 

24 

 

(b)  there are no circumstances prescribed by the Guidelines in 

25 

relation to the year and the 

*

number of Commonwealth 

26 

supported places provided by the provider during the year is 

27 

less than 500. 

28 

 

(3)  The Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines may: 

29 

 

(a)  for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), prescribe the use of 

30 

allocated amounts to provide scholarships or other benefits 

31 

for the purposes of: 

32 

Schedule 2  New Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme 

   

 

 

56 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

 

(i)  increasing access to and participation in higher 

education by students and prospective students from 

disadvantaged backgrounds; and 

 

(ii)  improving completion by disadvantaged students of 

*

courses of study; or 

 

(b)  prescribe any other matters ancillary or incidental to matters 

referred to in paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (a) of this 

subsection. 

Eligible amount 

 

(4)  A higher education provider‟s eligible amount for a year is the 

10 

amount that is the following percentage of the provider‟s 

*

eligible 

11 

revenue for the financial year: 

12 

 

(a)  20%; 

13 

 

(b)  if a lower percentage is prescribed by the Commonwealth 

14 

Grant Scheme Guidelines--that lower percentage. 

15 

Eligible revenue 

16 

 

(5)  The Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines may prescribe one 

17 

or more methods for working out a higher education provider‟s 

18 

eligible revenue for a year. If the Guidelines do so, the provider‟s 

19 

eligible revenue for the year is the amount worked out using the 

20 

prescribed method. 

21 

 

(6)  If no method is prescribed by the Guidelines, a higher education 

22 

provider‟s eligible revenue for a year is the amount worked out as 

23 

follows: 

24 

Revenue for year

Comparison revenue for

from Commonwealth

year from Commonwealth

supported students

supported students

 

25 

 

(7)  For the purposes of subsection (6), a provider‟s revenue for year 

26 

from Commonwealth supported students is the total of the 

27 

following amounts: 

28 

 

(a)  the grant amount payable to the provider under Part 2-2 in 

29 

respect of the year; 

30 

 

(b) 

*

tuition fees payable to the provider by 

*

Commonwealth 

31 

supported students for units of study that have 

*

census dates 

32 

in the year. 

33 

New Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme  Schedule 2 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

57 

 

 

(8)  For the purposes of subsection (6), a provider‟s comparison 

revenue for year from Commonwealth supported students is the 

total of the following amounts: 

 

(a)  the grant amount that would have been payable to the 

provider under Part 2-2 in respect of the year, if the whole of 

the basic grant amount in respect of the year were worked out 

under item 180 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education and 

Research Reform Amendment Act 2014

 

(b)  the 

*

tuition fees that would have been payable to the provider 

by 

*

Commonwealth supported students for units of study that 

10 

have 

*

census dates in the year, if all such tuition fees had 

11 

been the maximum fees allowed under subitem 179(1) of 

12 

Schedule 1 to that Act. 

13 

2  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 

14 

Insert: 

15 

eligible amount has the meaning given by subsection 36-75(4). 

16 

eligible revenue has the meaning given by subsections 36-75(5) 

17 

and (6). 

18 

3  Application of amendments 

19 

The amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to years 

20 

commencing on and after the day this Schedule commences. 

21 

Schedule 3  Indexation of HELP debts 

   

 

 

58 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Schedule 3

--Indexation of HELP debts 

   

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  Paragraph 140-1(2)(a) 

Omit "Consumer Price Index", substitute "

*

10 year bond rate". 

2  Sections 140-10 and 140-15 

Repeal the sections, substitute: 

140-10  HELP debt indexation factor 

 

(1)  The HELP debt indexation factor for 1 June in a financial year is 

the number (rounded to 3 decimal places) worked out as follows. 

10 

Method statement 

11 

Step 1.  Add: 

12 

 

(a) 

the 

*

10 year bond rate for the month of March in 

13 

the financial year; and 

14 

 

(b) 

the 10 year bond rate for each of the 11 months 

15 

that immediately preceded that March. 

16 

Step 2.  Divide the result of step 1 by 1200. 

17 

Step 3.  Add 1 to the result of step 2. 

18 

Step 4.  If the result of step 3 is 1.06 or less, that result is the 

19 

HELP debt indexation factor for 1 June in the financial 

20 

year. If the result of step 3 is higher than 1.06, the HELP 

21 

debt indexation factor for 1 June in the financial year is 

22 

1.06. 

23 

 

(2)  For the purposes of rounding a 

*

HELP debt indexation factor, the 

24 

third decimal place is rounded up if, apart from the rounding: 

25 

 

(a)  the factor would have 4 or more decimal places; and 

26 

 

(b)  the fourth decimal place would be a number greater than 4. 

27 

Indexation of HELP debts  Schedule 3 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

59 

 

140-15  10 year bond rate 

 

  The 10 year bond rate for a month is the Commonwealth 

Government 10 year bond capital market yield published for that 

month by the Reserve Bank of Australia. 

3  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 

Insert: 

10 year bond rate has the meaning given by section 140-15. 

4  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of index number

Repeal the definition, substitute: 

index number has the meaning given by section 198-20. 

10 

5  Application of amendments 

11 

The amendments made by this Schedule apply to working out a debt on 

12 

or after the first 1 June after the day this item commences. 

13 

Schedule 4  Minimum repayment income for HELP debts 

   

 

 

60 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Schedule 4

--Minimum repayment income for 

HELP debts 

   

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  Paragraph 154-10(a) 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

 

(a)  for the 2016-17 income year----$50,637; or 

2  Section 154-20 (table) 

Repeal the table, substitute: 

 

10 

Applicable percentages 

Item 

If the person's repayment income is: 

The percentage 

applicable is: 

1A 

More than the 

*

minimum repayment income, but less 

than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$56,264; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

2% 

More than the amount under item 1A, but less than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$62,674; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

4% 

More than the amount under item 1, but less than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$69,082; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

4.5% 

More than the amount under item 2, but less than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$72,713; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

5% 

More than the amount under item 3, but less than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$78,162; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

5.5% 

Minimum repayment income for HELP debts  Schedule 4 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

61 

 

Applicable percentages 

Item 

If the person's repayment income is: 

The percentage 

applicable is: 

More than the amount under item 4, but less than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$84,650; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

6% 

More than the amount under item 5, but less than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$89,105; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

6.5% 

More than the amount under item 6, but less than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$98,059; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

7% 

More than the amount under item 7, but less than: 

(a) for the 2016-17 

*

income year--$104,492; or 

(b) for a later income year--that amount indexed under 

section 154-25. 

7.5% 

More than the amount under item 8. 

8% 

 

3  Application of amendments 

The amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to income 

years commencing on and after the day this Schedule commences. 

Schedule 5  Research funding and research students 

Part 1  Research funding 

 

 

62 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Schedule 5

--Research funding and research 

students 

Part 1

--Research funding 

Australian Research Council Act 2001 

1  At the end of subsection 48(2) 

Add: 

 

; (n)  the financial year starting on 1 July 2017. 

2  Paragraphs 49(o), (p) and (q) 

Repeal the paragraphs, substitute: 

 

(o)  for the financial year starting on 1 July 2014--$875,642,000; 

10 

and 

11 

 

(p)  for the financial year starting on 1 July 2015--$776,078,000; 

12 

and 

13 

 

(q)  for the financial year starting on 1 July 2016--$723,472,000; 

14 

and 

15 

 

(r)  for the financial year starting on 1 July 2017--$736,972,000. 

16 

Research funding and research students  Schedule 5 

Research students  Part 2 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

63 

 

Part 2

--Research students 

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

3  Section 41-25 (heading) 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

41-25  Conditions on grants: main conditions 

4  After section 41-25 

Insert: 

41-26  Conditions on grants: research students 

 

(1)  A grant made to a higher education provider for the purpose 

specified in paragraph 41-10(1)(g) is, in addition to any conditions 

10 

under section 41-25, made on the condition that the provider must 

11 

not charge a 

*

research student of the provider a 

*

tuition fee for a 

12 

unit of study in the 

*

research course that exceeds the amount 

13 

worked out as follows: 

14 

Maximum research tuition fee

*EFTSL value of the unit

 

15 

 

(2)  The maximum research tuition fee is: 

16 

 

(a)  for a unit in a 

*

course of study that is a high cost course under 

17 

the Other Grants Guidelines--$3,900; or 

18 

 

(b)  for a unit in a course of study that is a low cost course under 

19 

the Other Grants Guidelines--$1,700. 

20 

 

(3)  A person is a research student of a higher education provider if the 

21 

provider classifies the person as a Research Training Scheme 

22 

student in accordance with the Other Grants Guidelines in relation 

23 

to a 

*

course of study (the research course) that the person is 

24 

undertaking with the provider. 

25 

5  Subsection 198-5(1) (after table item 2) 

26 

Insert: 

27 

 

28 

2A 

Amounts mentioned in subsection 41-26(2) 

Section 41-26 

Schedule 5  Research funding and research students 

Part 2  Research students 

 

 

64 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

 

6  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 

Insert: 

maximum research tuition fee has the meaning given by 

subsection 41-26(2). 

research course has the meaning given by subsection 41-26(3). 

research student has the meaning given by subsection 41-26(3). 

7  Application of amendments 

The amendments made by this Part apply in relation to: 

 

(a)  grants in respect of years commencing on or after the day this 

10 

Part commences; and 

11 

 

(b)  tuition fees for units of study that have a census date on or 

12 

after the day this Part commences. 

13 

Research funding and research students  Schedule 5 

Repeals of instruments  Part 3 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

65 

 

Part 3

--Repeals of instruments 

Determination made on 13 August 2004 under 

subsection 169-20(1) of the Higher Education 

Support Act 2003 (Federal Register of Legislative 

Instruments No. F2007B01092) 

8  The whole of the Determination 

Repeal the Determination. 

Schedule 5  Research funding and research students 

Part 4  Amendments of Guidelines 

 

 

66 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Part 4

--Amendments of Guidelines 

Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2012 

9  Paragraph 2.1.1(2) 

Omit "section 41-15(2)", substitute "sections 41-15(2) and 41-26". 

10  Paragraph 2.10.5 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

 

2.10.5  A student supported under paragraph 2.10.1 is referred to as a 

„Research Training Scheme student‟. 

11  After paragraph 2.20 

10 

Insert: 

11 

 

12 

2.21 

High cost and low cost courses 

13 

 

14 

2.21.1  For the purposes of section 41-26 of the Act, a high cost course is a 

15 

course of study specified in the following table: 

16 

 

17 

ASCED Code 

ASCED Title 

010300-010303 

Physics and Astronomy 

010500-010599 

Chemical Sciences 

010700-010799 

Earth Sciences 

010900-010999 

Biological Sciences 

019900-019999 

Other Natural and Physical Sciences 

030101 

Manufacturing Engineering 

030300-030399 

Process and Resources Engineering 

030501 

Automotive Engineering 

030701 

Mechanical Engineering 

030703 

Industrial Engineering 

030900-030999 

Civil Engineering 

031100-031199 

Geomatic Engineering 

031300 

Electrical and Electronic Engineering and 

Technology 

Research funding and research students  Schedule 5 

Amendments of Guidelines  Part 4 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

67 

 

031301 

Electrical Engineering 

031303 

Electronic Engineering 

031305 

Computer Engineering 

031307 

Communications Technologies 

031501 

Aerospace Engineering 

031503 

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering 

031701 

Maritime Engineering 

039901 

Environmental Engineering 

039903 

Biomedical Engineering 

050000-059999 

Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies 

060100-060199 

Medical Studies 

060501 

Pharmacy 

060701 

Dentistry 

061101 

Veterinary Studies 

069903 

Human Movement 

090701 

Psychology 

 

2.21.2  For the purposes of section 41-26 of the Act, a low cost course is any 

course of study not specified in the table in paragraph 2.21.1. 

Schedule 6  VET FEE-HELP loan fees and limits 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

68 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Schedule 6

--VET FEE-HELP loan fees and 

limits 

Part 1

--Main amendments 

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  Subsection 137-18(2) 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

 

(2)  The amount of the 

*

VET FEE-HELP debt is the amount of the 

loan. 

2  Subsection 137-18(4) 

Repeal the subsection (including the note), substitute: 

10 

Remission of VET FEE-HELP debts 

11 

 

(4)  A person‟s 

*

VET FEE-HELP debt in relation to a 

*

VET unit of 

12 

study is taken to be remitted if any of the following applies to the 

13 

person in relation to the unit (even if subclause 56(2) of 

14 

Schedule 1A applies to the provider in relation to the unit): 

15 

 

(a)  subclause 46(2) of Schedule 1A (special circumstances); 

16 

 

(b)  subclause 51(1) of Schedule 1A (course ceasing); 

17 

 

(c)  subclause 89(1) of Schedule 1A (no tax file number). 

18 

3  Clause 40 of Schedule 1A (paragraph dealing with amount 

19 

of assistance) 

20 

Omit ", but there is a limit on the total amount of assistance that the 

21 

student can receive". 

22 

4  Paragraph 43(1)(b) of Schedule 1A 

23 

Repeal the paragraph. 

24 

5  Clause 45A of Schedule 1A 

25 

Omit "43(e)", substitute "43(1)(e)". 

26 

VET FEE-HELP loan fees and limits  Schedule 6 

Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

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69 

 

6  Subdivision 7-B of Division 7 of Schedule 1A (heading) 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

Subdivision 7-B--Provider repayment of VET FEE-HELP 

assistance 

7  Clause 46 of Schedule 1A (heading) 

Repeal the heading, substitute: 

46  Provider repayment of VET FEE-HELP assistance--special 

circumstances 

8  Subclause 46(1) of Schedule 1A 

Repeal the subclause. 

10 

9  Subclause 46(2) of Schedule 1A 

11 

Omit "re-credit a person‟s 

*

FEE-HELP balance with an amount equal to 

12 

the amounts of 

*

VET FEE-HELP assistance that the person received for 

13 

*

VET unit of study", substitute "determine that this subclause applies 

14 

to a person". 

15 

10  Paragraph 46(2)(a) of Schedule 1A 

16 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

17 

 

(a)  the person has been enrolled in a 

*

VET unit of study with the 

18 

provider; and 

19 

 

(aa)  the person received 

*

VET FEE-HELP assistance for the unit; 

20 

and 

21 

11  Paragraph 46(2)(d) of Schedule 1A 

22 

Repeal the paragraph, substitute: 

23 

 

(d)  the person applies in writing to the provider for the remission 

24 

of the person‟s 

*

VET FEE-HELP debt in relation to the unit; 

25 

and 

26 

12  Subparagraph 46(2)(e)(ii) of Schedule 1A 

27 

After "provider", insert ", on request made no later than 2 years after 

28 

the end of that period,". 

29 

Schedule 6  VET FEE-HELP loan fees and limits 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

70 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

13  Subclause 46(2) of Schedule 1A (note) 

Repeal the note, substitute: 

Note 1: 

If this subclause applies, the VET FEE-HELP debt of the person is 

remitted (see subsection 137-18(4)) and the provider must repay the 

amount of the VET FEE-HELP assistance to the Commonwealth (see 

clause 56). 

Note 2: 

A decision that this subclause does not apply to a person is reviewable 

under Division 16. 

14  At the end of clause 46 of Schedule 1A 

Add: 

10 

 

(4)  If a determination made under this clause is made in writing, the 

11 

determination is not a legislative instrument. 

12 

15  Clause 47 of Schedule 1A 

13 

Repeal the clause. 

14 

16  Paragraph 49(1)(a) of Schedule 1A 

15 

Omit "for the re-crediting of the person‟s 

*

FEE-HELP balance". 

16 

17  Paragraph 50(1)(b) of Schedule 1A 

17 

After "provider", insert ", on request made no later than 2 years after 

18 

the end of that period,". 

19 

18  Clause 51 of Schedule 1A 

20 

Repeal the clause, substitute: 

21 

51  Provider repayment of VET FEE-HELP assistance--provider 

22 

ceases to provide course 

23 

 

(1)  A 

*

VET provider must, on the 

*

Secretary‟s behalf, determine that 

24 

this subclause applies to a person if: 

25 

 

(a)  the person has been enrolled in a 

*

VET unit of study with the 

26 

provider; and 

27 

 

(b)  the person received 

*

VET FEE-HELP assistance for the unit; 

28 

and 

29 

 

(c)  the person has not completed the requirements for the unit 

30 

during the period during which the person undertook, or was 

31 

to undertake, the unit because the provider ceased to provide 

32 

VET FEE-HELP loan fees and limits  Schedule 6 

Main amendments  Part 1 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

71 

 

the unit as a result of ceasing to provide the course of which 

the unit formed part; and 

 

(d)  the 

*

VET tuition assurance requirements applied to the 

provider at the time the provider ceased to provide the unit; 

and 

 

(e)  the person chose the option designated under the VET tuition 

assurance requirements as VET tuition fee repayment in 

relation to the unit. 

Note: 

If this subclause applies, the VET FEE-HELP debt of the person is 

remitted (see subsection 137-18(4)) and the provider must repay the 

10 

amount of the VET FEE-HELP assistance to the Commonwealth (see 

11 

clause 56). 

12 

 

(2)  If the provider is unable to make the determination referred to in 

13 

subclause (1), the 

*

Secretary may make the determination. 

14 

 

(3)  If a determination made under this clause is made in writing, the 

15 

determination is not a legislative instrument. 

16 

19  Clause 52 of Schedule 1A (note) 

17 

Repeal the note. 

18 

20  Clause 54 of Schedule 1A 

19 

Repeal the clause. 

20 

21  Clause 56 of Schedule 1A 

21 

Repeal the clause, substitute: 

22 

56  Repayment of VET FEE-HELP assistance by providers 

23 

 

(1)  A 

*

VET provider must pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal 

24 

to the amount of 

*

VET FEE-HELP assistance a person received for 

25 

*

VET unit of study with the provider if any of the following 

26 

applies to the person in relation to the unit: 

27 

 

(a)  subclause 46(2) (special circumstances); 

28 

 

(b)  subclause 51(1) (course ceasing); 

29 

 

(c)  subclause 89(1) (no tax file number). 

30 

Note: 

The person‟s VET FEE-HELP debt in relation to the unit will also be 

31 

remitted (see subsection 137-18(4)). 

32 

Schedule 6  VET FEE-HELP loan fees and limits 

Part 1  Main amendments 

 

 

72 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

 

(2)  Subclause (1) does not apply to a 

*

VET provider because of the 

application of subclause 46(2) to the person in relation to the unit if 

the person enrolled in the unit in circumstances that make it a 

replacement unit within the meaning of the 

*

VET tuition assurance 

requirements. 

 

(3)  The 

*

VET Guidelines may, in setting out the 

*

VET tuition 

assurance requirements, specify, in relation to circumstances to 

which subclause (2) applies: 

 

(a)  the amount (if any) that is to be paid to the Commonwealth; 

and 

10 

 

(b)  the person (if any) who is to pay the amount. 

11 

22  Subclause 89(1) of Schedule 1A (note) 

12 

Repeal the note, substitute: 

13 

Note: 

If this subclause applies, the VET FEE-HELP debt of the person is 

14 

remitted (see subsection 137-18(4)) and the provider must repay the 

15 

amount of the VET FEE-HELP assistance to the Commonwealth (see 

16 

clause 56). 

17 

23  Clause 91 of Schedule 1A (table item 1) 

18 

Repeal the item, substitute: 

19 

 

20 

A decision that 

subclause 46(2) does 

not apply to a person in 

relation to a unit of 

study 

subclause 46(2) 

(a) the 

*

VET provider 

with whom the 

student is enrolled 

in the unit; or 

(b) if the 

*

Secretary 

made the decision 

that the subclause 

does not apply--the 

Secretary 

 

21 

VET FEE-HELP loan fees and limits  Schedule 6 

Application, saving and transitional provisions  Part 2 

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

73 

 

Part 2

--Application, saving and transitional 

provisions 

24  Application 

(1) 

The amendment made by item 1 of this Schedule applies in relation to 

debts incurred on or after the day this Schedule commences. 

(2) 

The other amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to units 

of study that have a census date on or after the day this Schedule 

commences. 

25  VET FEE-HELP assistance given before commencement 

(1) 

If, immediately before the day this Schedule commences, a valid 

10 

application had been made under clause 46 of Schedule 1A of the 

11 

Higher Education Support Act 2003 but not determined, the application 

12 

is to be determined after that day in accordance with the Act as 

13 

amended by this Schedule, as if the application had been made under 

14 

clause 46 as amended. 

15 

(2) 

Subparagraph 46(2)(e)(ii) of Schedule 1A to the Higher Education 

16 

Support Act 2003 as amended by this Schedule applies in relation to 

17 

circumstances that occurred, and periods that began, before, on or after 

18 

the day this Schedule commences. 

19 

26  Reviewable decisions made before commencement 

20 

(1) 

If, before the day this Schedule commences, a decision referred to in 

21 

item 1 of the table in clause 91 of Schedule 1A to the Higher Education 

22 

Support Act 2003 was made, then, after that day, a decision that 

23 

subclause 46(2) of Schedule 1A of that Act does not apply to the person 

24 

is taken to have been made instead of the decision that was actually 

25 

made. 

26 

(2) 

Subitem (1) does not have the effect of changing the day the original 

27 

decision was made. 

28 

Schedule 7  HECS-HELP benefit 

   

 

 

74 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Schedule 7

--HECS-HELP benefit 

   

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  Paragraphs 140-1(2)(d) and (e) 

Repeal the paragraphs, substitute: 

 

(d) 

*

compulsory repayment amounts in respect of the debt. 

2  Subsection 140-5(1) (method statement, step 4A) 

Repeal the step. 

3  Subsection 140-5(1) (example) 

Omit "Step 4A: Does not apply because Lorraine does not satisfy the 

10 

eligibility requirements for the HECS-HELP benefit.". 

11 

4  Subsection 140-5(3) 

12 

Repeal the subsection. 

13 

5  Section 148-1 

14 

Omit: 

15 

Repayment amounts may be reduced by the HECS-HELP benefit. 

16 

To receive the benefit, a person must satisfy eligibility 

17 

requirements and apply for it. The Commissioner determines 

18 

whether a person is eligible for the benefit, and if so, the amount of 

19 

the benefit. 

20 

6  Section 148-5 

21 

Repeal the section. 

22 

7  Subsection 154-1(1) 

23 

Omit "Subject to section 154-3, if", substitute "If". 

24 

8  Section 154-3 

25 

Repeal the section. 

26 

HECS-HELP benefit  Schedule 7 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

75 

 

9  Section 154-35 (note) 

Repeal the note. 

10  Section 154-40 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

 

  If: 

 

(a)  the 

*

Commissioner is required to serve on a person a notice 

of assessment in respect of the person‟s income of an 

*

income year under section 174 of the Income Tax 

Assessment Act 1936; and 

 

(b)  the Commissioner has made, in respect of the person, an 

10 

assessment under section 154-35 of this Act of the amounts 

11 

referred to in that section; and 

12 

 

(c)  notice of the assessment under that section has not been 

13 

served on the person; 

14 

notice of the assessment under that section may be served by 

15 

specifying the amounts concerned in the notice referred to in 

16 

paragraph (a). 

17 

11  Section 154-85 

18 

Repeal the section. 

19 

12  Division 157 

20 

Repeal the Division. 

21 

13  Section 206-1 (table item 4A) 

22 

Repeal the item. 

23 

14  Subsection 238-10(1) (table item 4A) 

24 

Repeal the item. 

25 

15  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of HECS-HELP 

26 

benefit

27 

Repeal the definition. 

28 

Schedule 7  HECS-HELP benefit 

   

 

 

76 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 

16  Section 11-15 (table item headed 

"education and training") 

Omit: 

HECS-HELP benefit, recipient of .......................................  51-10 

17  Subsection 51-10 (table item 2.9) 

Repeal the item. 

18  Subsection 995-1(1) (definition of HECS-HELP benefit

Repeal the definition. 

19  Application and saving provision 

(1) 

In this item: 

Act means the Higher Education Support Act 2003

10 

commencement means the day this Schedule commences. 

11 

earlier income year means an income year commencing before 

12 

commencement. 

13 

(2) 

The amendments made by this Schedule do not apply in relation to 

14 

HECS-HELP benefit for an earlier income year. 

15 

(3) 

Without limiting subitem (2): 

16 

 

(a)  a person may, after commencement, make an application in 

17 

respect of an earlier income year in accordance with 

18 

Subdivision 157-A of Division 157 of the Act as in force 

19 

immediately before commencement; and 

20 

 

(b)  the Commissioner must make a determination for any 

21 

application in respect of an earlier year in accordance with 

22 

Subdivision 157-C of Division 157 of the Act as in force 

23 

immediately before commencement; and 

24 

 

(c)  section 140-5 of the Act, as in force immediately before 

25 

commencement, continues to apply after commencement in 

26 

relation to working out a former accumulated HELP debt of a 

27 

person in respect of whom HECS-HELP benefit has been 

28 

determined for an earlier income year; and 

29 

 

(d)  section 154-3 of the Act, as in force immediately before 

30 

commencement, continues to apply after commencement in 

31 

relation to working out the amount that a person in respect of 

32 

HECS-HELP benefit  Schedule 7 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

77 

 

whom a HECS-HELP benefit has been determined for an 

earlier income year is liable to pay under section 154-1 of the 

Act; and 

 

(e)  a person may apply, after commencement, for review of a 

decision referred to in item 4A of the table in section 206-1 

of the Act as in force immediately before commencement; 

and 

 

(f)  such a decision may be reviewed and given effect in 

accordance with the Act as in force immediately before 

commencement; and 

10 

 

(g)  a provision of a taxation law (within the meaning of the 

11 

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997) has the effect necessary to 

12 

give effect to this item. 

13 

(4) 

The HECS-HELP Benefit Guidelines in force immediately before 

14 

commencement continue in force for the purposes of the application of 

15 

the Higher Education Support Act 2003 in relation to HECS-HELP 

16 

benefit for earlier income years. The Guidelines as continued under this 

17 

subitem may be amended or repealed as if they were Guidelines made 

18 

under section 238-10 of the Act. 

19 

Schedule 8  Indexation of amounts 

   

 

 

78 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Schedule 8

--Indexation of amounts 

   

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  Subsection 198-10(1) 

Repeal the subsection, substitute: 

 

(1)  An amount is indexed on 1 January each year, by multiplying it by 

the 

*

indexation factor for the year. 

2  Subsection 198-15(1) (formula) 

Repeal the formula, substitute: 

The *index number for the December reference quarter 

The *index number for the December base quarter

 

10 

where: 

11 

December base quarter means the 

*

quarter ending on the 

12 

31 December that is 2 years and a day before the relevant 

13 

1 January. 

14 

December reference quarter means the 

*

quarter ending on the 

15 

31 December that is a year and a day before the relevant 1 January. 

16 

3  Section 198-20 

17 

Repeal the section, substitute: 

18 

198-20  Meaning of index number 

19 

 

(1)  The index number for a 

*

quarter is the All Groups Consumer Price 

20 

Index number (being the weighted average of the 8 capital cities) 

21 

published by the 

*

Australian Statistician in respect of that quarter. 

22 

 

(2)  Subject to subsection (3), if, at any time before or after the 

23 

commencement of this subsection: 

24 

 

(a)  the 

*

Australian Statistician has published or publishes an 

25 

index number in respect of a 

*

quarter; and 

26 

Indexation of amounts  Schedule 8 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

79 

 

 

(b)  that index number is in substitution for an index number 

previously published by the Australian Statistician in respect 

of that quarter; 

disregard the publication of the later index number for the purposes 

of this section. 

 

(3)  If, at any time before or after the commencement of this 

subsection, the 

*

Australian Statistician has changed or changes the 

index reference period for the Consumer Price Index, then, for the 

purposes of applying this section after the change took place or 

takes place, have regard only to 

*

index numbers published in terms 

10 

of the new index reference period. 

11 

4  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 (definition of indexation 

12 

period

13 

Repeal the definition. 

14 

Schedule 9  University name change 

   

 

 

80 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

Schedule 9

--University name change 

   

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  Subsection 16-15(1) (after table item dealing with Edith 

Cowan University) 

Insert: 

Federation University Australia 

2  Subsection 16-15(1) (table item dealing with University of 

Ballarat) 

Repeal the item. 

New Zealand citizens  Schedule 10 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

81 

 

Schedule 10

--New Zealand citizens 

   

Higher Education Support Act 2003 

1  After subsection 90-5(2) 

Insert: 

 

(2A)  A student also meets the citizenship or residency requirements 

under this section in relation to a unit of study if the student: 

 

(a)  is a New Zealand citizen; and 

 

(b)  holds a special category visa under the Migration Act 1958

and 

10 

 

(c)  both: 

11 

 

(i)  first began to be usually resident in Australia at least 10 

12 

years before the test day in subsection (2B) (the test 

13 

day); and 

14 

 

(ii)  was a 

*

dependent child when he or she first began to be 

15 

usually resident in Australia; and 

16 

 

(d)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

17 

8 years during the 10 years immediately before the test day; 

18 

and 

19 

 

(e)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

20 

18 months during the 2 years immediately before the test day. 

21 

 

(2B)  For the purposes of subsection (2A), the test day is the earlier of: 

22 

 

(a)  if the student has previously made a successful 

*

request for 

23 

Commonwealth assistance under this Chapter for a unit that 

24 

formed part of the same 

*

course of study--the day the 

25 

student first made such a request; or 

26 

 

(b)  otherwise--the day the student made the request for 

27 

Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit. 

28 

2  Section 90-5(3) 

29 

Omit "and (2)", substitute ", (2) and (2A)". 

30 

3  After subsection 104-5(2) 

31 

Add: 

32 

Schedule 10  New Zealand citizens 

   

 

 

82 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

 

(2A)  A student also meets the citizenship or residency requirements 

under this section in relation to a unit of study if the student: 

 

(a)  is a New Zealand citizen; and 

 

(b)  holds a special category visa under the Migration Act 1958

and 

 

(c)  both: 

 

(i)  first began to be usually resident in Australia at least 10 

years before the test day in subsection (2B) (the test 

day); and 

 

(ii)  was a 

*

dependent child when he or she first began to be 

10 

usually resident in Australia; and 

11 

 

(d)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

12 

8 years during the 10 years immediately before the test day; 

13 

and 

14 

 

(e)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

15 

18 months during the 2 years immediately before the test day. 

16 

 

(2B)  For the purposes of subsection (2A), the test day is the earlier of: 

17 

 

(a)  if the student has previously made a successful 

*

request for 

18 

Commonwealth assistance under this Chapter for a unit that 

19 

formed part of the same 

*

course of study--the day the 

20 

student first made such a request; or 

21 

 

(b)  otherwise--the day the student made the request for 

22 

Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit. 

23 

4  Subsections 104-5(3) and (4) 

24 

Omit "and (2)", substitute ", (2) and (2A)". 

25 

5  Section 118-5 

26 

Before "The", insert "(1)". 

27 

6  At the end of section 118-5 

28 

Add: 

29 

 

; or (c)  a student to whom subsection (2) applies. 

30 

 

(2)  This subsection applies to a student who: 

31 

 

(a)  is a New Zealand citizen; and 

32 

 

(b)  holds a special category visa under the Migration Act 1958

33 

and 

34 

New Zealand citizens  Schedule 10 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

83 

 

 

(c)  both: 

 

(i)  first began to be usually resident in Australia at least 10 

years before the test day in subsection (3) (the test day); 

and 

 

(ii)  was a 

*

dependent child when he or she first began to be 

usually resident in Australia; and 

 

(d)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

8 years during the 10 years immediately before the test day; 

and 

 

(e)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

10 

18 months during the 2 years immediately before the test day. 

11 

 

(3)  For the purposes of subsection (2), the test day is the earlier of: 

12 

 

(a)  if the student has previously made a successful 

*

request for 

13 

Commonwealth assistance under this Chapter in relation to 

14 

the 

*

course of study the student is enrolled in with the home 

15 

provider--the day the student first made such a request; or 

16 

 

(b)  otherwise--the day the student made the request for 

17 

Commonwealth assistance in relation to the period. 

18 

7  After subsection 126-5(1) 

19 

Insert: 

20 

 

(1A)  A student also meets the citizenship or residency requirements 

21 

under this section in relation to a 

*

student services and amenities 

22 

fee imposed on the student by a higher education provider if the 

23 

student: 

24 

 

(a)  is a New Zealand citizen on the day the fee is payable; and 

25 

 

(b)  holds a special category visa under the Migration Act 1958 

26 

on the day the fee is payable; and 

27 

 

(c)  both: 

28 

 

(i)  first began to be usually resident in Australia at least 10 

29 

years before the test day in subsection (1B) (the test 

30 

day); and 

31 

 

(ii)  was a 

*

dependent child when he or she first began to be 

32 

usually resident in Australia; and 

33 

 

(d)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

34 

8 years during the 10 years immediately before the test day; 

35 

and 

36 

Schedule 10  New Zealand citizens 

   

 

 

84 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

No.      , 2014 

 

 

(e)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

18 months during the 2 years immediately before the test day. 

 

(1B)  For the purposes of subsection (1A), the test day is the earlier of: 

 

(a)  if the student: 

 

(i)  is enrolled with the provider in a 

*

course of study; and 

 

(ii)  has previously made a successful 

*

request for 

Commonwealth assistance under this Chapter in relation 

to the course--the day the student first made such a 

request; or 

 

(b)  otherwise--the day the student made the request for 

10 

Commonwealth assistance in relation to the fee. 

11 

8  Subsection 126-5(2) 

12 

Omit "subsection (1)", substitute "subsections (1) and (1A)". 

13 

9  At the end of subclause 44(1) of Schedule 1A 

14 

Add: 

15 

 

; or (c)  a student to whom subclause (3) applies. 

16 

 

(3)  This subclause applies to a student who: 

17 

 

(a)  is a New Zealand citizen; and 

18 

 

(b)  holds a special category visa under the Migration Act 1958

19 

and 

20 

 

(c)  both: 

21 

 

(i)  first began to be usually resident in Australia at least 10 

22 

years before the test day in subclause (4) (the test day); 

23 

and 

24 

 

(ii)  was a 

*

dependent child when he or she first began to be 

25 

usually resident in Australia; and 

26 

 

(d)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

27 

8 years during the 10 years immediately before the test day; 

28 

and 

29 

 

(e)  has been in Australia for a period of, or for periods totalling, 

30 

18 months during the 2 years immediately before the test day. 

31 

 

(4)  For the purposes of subclause (3), the test day is the earlier of: 

32 

 

(a)  if the student has previously made a successful 

*

request for 

33 

Commonwealth assistance under this Part for a 

*

VET unit of 

34 

New Zealand citizens  Schedule 10 

   

 

 

No.      , 2014 

Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 

85 

 

study that formed part of the same 

*

VET course of study--

the day the student first made such a request; or 

 

(b)  otherwise--the day the student made the request for 

Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit. 

10  Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1 

Insert: 

dependent child: see clause 2. 

11  At the end of Schedule 1 

Add: 

2  Definition of dependent child 

10 

 

(1)  A child of a person is a dependent child if the child: 

11 

 

(a)  the child is aged under 18; and 

12 

 

(b)  does not have a spouse or de facto partner (within the 

13 

meaning of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901). 

14 

 

(2)  Without limiting who is a child of a person for the purposes of 

15 

subclause (1), someone is the child of a person if he or she is a 

16 

child of the person within the meaning of the Family Law Act 

17 

1975

18 

12  Application 

19 

The amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to a unit of 

20 

study that has a census date on or after the day this Schedule 

21 

commences. 

22 

 


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