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HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT ACT 2003 NO. 149, 2003

Table of Provisions

CHAPTER 1--Introduction

 

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 1.1 Short title  
  • 1.5 Commencement  
  • 1.10 Identifying defined terms  
  • 1.15 Application of Chapter 6 etc.  

Division 2--Objects

  • 2.1 Objects of this Act  

Division 3--Overview of this Act

  • 3.1 General  
  • 3.5 Grants for higher education assistance (Chapter 2)  
  • 3.10 Assistance to students (Chapter 3)  
  • 3.15 Repayment of loans (Chapter 4)  
  • 3.20 Administration (Chapter 5)  
  • 3.25 Provision of higher education in the external Territories (Chapter 6)  
  •  

CHAPTER 2--Grants for higher education assistance

 

Division 8--Introduction

  • 8.1 What this Chapter is about  

PART 2-1--HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS

Division 13--Introduction

  • 13.1 What this Part is about  
  • 13.5 The Higher Education Provider Guidelines  

Division 16--What is a higher education provider?

     Subdivision 16-A--General
  • 16.1 Meaning of higher education provider  
  • 16.5 When a body becomes or ceases to be a higher education provider  
  •      Subdivision 16-B--Which bodies are listed providers?  
  • 16.10 Listed providers  
  • 16.15 Table A providers  
  • 16.20 Table B providers  
  •      Subdivision 16-C--How are bodies approved as higher education providers?  
  • 16.25 Approval by the Minister  
  • 16.30 The tuition assurance requirements  
  • 16.35 Additional requirements for non self-accrediting providers  
  • 16.40 Application  
  • 16.45 Minister may seek further information  
  • 16.50 Minister to decide application  
  • 16.55 Disallowance of approval  

Division 19--What are the quality and accountability requirements?

     Subdivision 19-A--General
  • 19.1 The quality and accountability requirements  
  •      Subdivision 19-B--The financial viability requirements  
  • 19.5 Basic requirement  
  • 19.10 Financial information must be provided  
  • 19.12 Minister to have regard to financial information  
  •      Subdivision 19-C--The quality requirements  
  • 19.15 Provider must maintain quality  
  • 19.20 Provider (other than Table A provider) to comply with National Protocols etc.  
  • 19.25 Quality assurance—provider (other than Table A provider)  
  • 19.27 Quality assurance—Table A provider  
  •      Subdivision 19-D--The fairness requirements  
  • 19.30 Basic requirement  
  • 19.35 Benefits and opportunities must be available equally to all students  
  • 19.40 Compliance with the tuition assurance requirements  
  • 19.45 Student grievance and review procedures  
  • 19.50 Higher education providers to appoint review officers  
  • 19.55 Review officers not to review own decisions  
  • 19.60 Procedures relating to personal information  
  •      Subdivision 19-E--The compliance requirements  
  • 19.65 Basic requirements  
  • 19.70 Provider to provide statement of general information  
  • 19.75 Notice of events that affect provider's ability to comply with conditions of Commonwealth assistance  
  •      Subdivision 19-F--What are the contribution and fee requirements?  
  • 19.85 Basic requirement  
  • 19.90 Determining student contribution amounts and tuition fees  
  • 19.95 Schedules of student contribution amounts per place and tuition fees  
  • 19.100 Limits on tuition fees for courses of study  
  • 19.105 Meaning of tuition fee  

Division 22--When does a body cease to be a higher education provider?

     Subdivision 22-A--General
  • 22.1 Cessation of approval as a provider  
  •      Subdivision 22-B--Revocation for cause  
  • 22.5 Revocation of approval if application for approval as a provider is false or misleading  
  • 22.10 Revocation of approval as a provider if body ceases to be a university etc.  
  • 22.15 Revocation of approval as a provider for a breach of conditions or the quality and accountability requirements  
  •      Subdivision 22-C--Process for decisions on revocation under Subdivision 22-B  
  • 22.20 Process for revoking approval as a provider for loss of status or a breach  
  • 22.25 Determination retaining approval as a provider in respect of existing students  
  • 22.30 Suspension of approval as a provider  
  • 22.35 Disallowance of revocation  
  •      Subdivision 22-D--Revocation of approval on application  
  • 22.40 Revocation of approval as a provider on application  

PART 2-2--COMMONWEALTH GRANT SCHEME

Division 27--Introduction

  • 27.1 What this Part is about  
  • 27.5 Guidelines  

Division 30--Which higher education providers are eligible for a grant?

     Subdivision 30-A--Basic rules
  • 30.1 Eligibility for grants  
  • 30.5 Maximum grants  
  •      Subdivision 30-B--Allocation of places  
  • 30.10 Allocation of places  
  • 30.15 Funding clusters  
  • 30.20 National priorities  
  •      Subdivision 30-C--Funding agreements  
  • 30.25 Funding agreements  

Division 33--How are grant amounts worked out?

     Subdivision 33-A--Basic rule
  • 33.1 How grant amount is worked out  
  •      Subdivision 33-B--Basic grant amounts  
  • 33.5 Basic grant amounts  
  • 33.10 Commonwealth contribution amounts  
  • 33.15 Increases in assistance for higher education providers meeting certain requirements  
  •      Subdivision 33-C--Adjustments  
  • 33.20 Adjustments in accordance with guidelines  
  • 33.25 Adjustments that apply in the absence of guidelines  
  • 33.30 Working out the number of Commonwealth supported places provided  
  • 33.35 Funding clusters in which units of study are included  
  •      Subdivision 33-D--Special purpose advances  
  • 33.40 Advances for certain purposes  

Division 36--What are the conditions of receiving a grant?

     Subdivision 36-A--General
  • 36.1 Condition of grant to comply with this Division  
  •      Subdivision 36-B--Conditions relating to Commonwealth supported students  
  • 36.5 Meaning of Commonwealth supported student  
  • 36.10 Advice on whether a person is a Commonwealth supported student  
  • 36.15 Persons not to be advised they are Commonwealth supported  
  • 36.20 Providers to repay amounts if Student Learning Entitlement is re-credited  
  •      Subdivision 36-C--Conditions relating to enrolment  
  • 36.25 Continued support for Commonwealth supported students  
  • 36.30 Providers to fill Commonwealth supported places before accepting other enrolments  
  • 36.35 Percentage of Commonwealth supported places to be provided by Table A providers  
  • 36.40 Providers to cancel enrolments in certain circumstances  
  •      Subdivision 36-D--Conditions relating to student contribution amounts  
  • 36.45 Limits on student contribution amounts  
  • 36.50 Provider must not accept up-front payments of more than 80% of student contribution amounts  
  •      Subdivision 36-E--Conditions relating to tuition fees  
  • 36.55 Tuition fees for non-Commonwealth supported students  
  •      Subdivision 36-F--Other conditions  
  • 36.60 Providers to meet the quality and accountability requirements  
  • 36.65 Providers to comply with funding agreement  
  • 36.70 Providers to comply with the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines  

PART 2-3--OTHER GRANTS

Division 41--Other grants

  • 41.1 What this Part is about  
  • 41.5 The Other Grants Guidelines  
  • 41.10 Eligibility for grants under this Part  
  • 41.15 Grants may be paid under programs  
  • 41.20 Approval of grants  
  • 41.25 Conditions on grants  
  • 41.30 Amount of a grant  
  • 41.35 Amounts payable under this Part  
  • 41.40 Rollover of grant amounts  
  • 41.45 Maximum payments for other grants under this Part  
  • 41.50 Grant amounts is disallowable instrument  

PART 2-4--GRANTS FOR COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS

Division 46--Grants for Commonwealth scholarships

  • 46.1 What this Part is about  
  • 46.5 The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines  
  • 46.10 Classes of Commonwealth scholarships  
  • 46.15 Who is eligible to receive a grant from the Commonwealth for Commonwealth scholarships?  
  • 46.20 Other matters relating to Commonwealth scholarships  
  • 46.25 Condition of grants  
  • 46.30 Amounts payable under this Part  
  • 46.35 Rollover of grant amounts  
  • 46.40 Maximum payments for Commonwealth scholarships  

PART 2-5--REDUCTION AND REPAYMENT OF GRANTS

Division 51--Introduction

  • 51.1 What this Part is about  
  • 51.5 The Reduction and Repayment Guidelines  

Division 54--In what circumstances may a grant be reduced or required to be repaid?

  • 54.1 Decision as to reduction or repayment of a grant  
  • 54.5 Appropriateness of requiring reduction or repayment of grant  

Division 57--What is the amount of a reduction or repayment?

  • 57.1 Reduction in amount of grants  
  • 57.5 Amount of the repayment  

Division 60--How are decisions reducing a grant or requiring repayment of a grant made?

  • 60.1 Procedure prior to decision  
  • 60.5 Notification of decision  
  • 60.10 When a decision takes effect  
  •  

CHAPTER 3--Assistance to students

 

Division 65--Introduction

  • 65.1 What this Chapter is about  

PART 3-1--STUDENT LEARNING ENTITLEMENT

Division 70--Introduction

  • 70.1 What this Part is about  
  • 70.5 The Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines  

Division 73--What is a person's Student Learning Entitlement?

  • 73.1 A person's Student Learning Entitlement  
  • 73.5 Ordinary SLE  
  • 73.10 Meaning of EFTSL  
  • 73.15 Meaning of EFTSL value  
  • 73.20 Additional SLE  
  • 73.22 Life long SLE  
  • 73.25 SLE not transferable  
  • 73.30 Ceasing to be an eligible person  

Division 76--When is a person's Student Learning Entitlement reduced?

  • 76.1 Reducing a person's SLE  
  • 76.5 Reducing a person's additional SLE  
  • 76.10 Reducing a person's life long SLE  

Division 79--In what circumstances can a person's Student Learning Entitlement be re-credited?

  • 79.1 Re-crediting a person's SLE  
  • 79.5 Special circumstances  
  • 79.10 Application period  
  • 79.15 Dealing with applications  

Division 82--When is a unit of study covered by a person's Student Learning Entitlement?

  • 82.1 General rule  
  • 82.5 Availability of a person's SLE  
  • 82.10 Additional SLE  
  • 82.15 Simultaneous enrolments that exceed a person's SLE  

PART 3-2--HECS-HELP ASSISTANCE

Division 87--Introduction

  • 87.1 What this Part is about  
  • 87.5 The HECS-HELP Guidelines  

Division 90--Who is entitled to HECS-HELP assistance?

  • 90.1 Entitlement to HECS-HELP assistance  
  • 90.5 Citizenship or residency requirements  

Division 93--How are amounts of HECS-HELP assistance worked out?

  • 93.1 The amount of HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study  
  • 93.5 Student contribution amounts  
  • 93.10 Maximum student contribution amounts per place  
  • 93.15 Up-front payments  

Division 96--How are amounts of HECS-HELP assistance paid?

  • 96.1 Payments to higher education providers—no up-front payment of student contribution amount  
  • 96.5 Payments to higher education providers—partial up-front payment of student contribution amount  
  • 96.10 Payments to higher education providers—full up-front payment of student contribution amount  

PART 3-3--FEE-HELP ASSISTANCE

Division 101--Introduction

  • 101.1 What this Part is about  
  • 101.5 The FEE-HELP Guidelines  

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

     Subdivision 104-A--Basic rules
  • 104.1 Entitlement to FEE-HELP assistance  
  • 104.5 Citizenship or residency requirements  
  • 104.10 Course requirements  
  •      Subdivision 104-B--FEE-HELP balances  
  • 104.15 A person's FEE-HELP balance  
  • 104.20 The FEE-HELP limit  
  • 104.25 Re-crediting a person's FEE-HELP balance  
  • 104.30 Special circumstances  
  • 104.35 Application period  
  • 104.40 Dealing with applications  
  •      Subdivision 104-C--Bridging courses for overseas-trained professionals  
  • 104.45 Meaning of bridging course for overseas-trained professionals  
  • 104.50 Assessment statements  
  • 104.55 Meaning of assessing body  
  • 104.60 Meaning of listed professional occupations  
  • 104.65 Occupation includes part of an occupation  
  • 104.70 Requirements for entry to an occupation  
  • 104.75 Meanings of student load and maximum BOTP student load  

Division 107--How are amounts of FEE-HELP assistance worked out?

  • 107.1 The amount of FEE-HELP assistance for a unit of study  
  • 107.5 Up-front payments  
  • 107.10 Amounts of FEE-HELP assistance must not exceed the FEE-HELP balance  

Division 110--How are amounts of FEE-HELP assistance paid?

  • 110.1 Payments to higher education providers  
  • 110.5 Effect of FEE-HELP balance being re-credited  

PART 3-4--OS-HELP ASSISTANCE

Division 115--Introduction

  • 115.1 What this Part is about  
  • 115.5 The OS-HELP Guidelines  

Division 118--Who is entitled to OS-HELP assistance?

  • 118.1 Entitlement to OS-HELP assistance  
  • 118.5 Citizenship or residency requirements  
  • 118.10 Overseas study requirements  
  • 118.15 Selection of students for receipt of OS-HELP assistance  

Division 121--How are amounts of OS-HELP assistance worked out?

  • 121.1 The amount of OS-HELP assistance for a period  
  • 121.5 Maximum OS-HELP amount  
  • 121.10 Minimum OS-HELP amounts  

Division 124--How are amounts of OS-HELP assistance paid?

  • 124.1 Amounts of OS-HELP assistance are lent to students  
  •  

CHAPTER 4--Repayment of loans

 

Division 129--Introduction

  • 129.1 What this Chapter is about  

PART 4-1--INDEBTEDNESS

Division 134--Introduction

  • 134.1 What this Part is about  

Division 137--How do HELP debts arise?

Division 140--How are accumulated HELP debts worked out?

     Subdivision 140-A--Outline of this Division
  • 140.1 Outline of this Division  
  •      Subdivision 140-B--Former accumulated HELP debts  
  • 140.5 Working out a former accumulated HELP debt  
  • 140.10 HELP debt indexation factor  
  • 140.15 Index numbers  
  • 140.20 Publishing HELP debt indexation factors  
  •      Subdivision 140-C--Accumulated HELP debts  
  • 140.25 Working out an accumulated HELP debt  
  • 140.30 Rounding of amounts  
  • 140.35 Accumulated HELP debt discharges earlier debts  
  • 140.40 Accumulated HELP debt discharged by death  

PART 4-2--DISCHARGE OF INDEBTEDNESS

Division 148--Introduction

  • 148.1 What this Part is about  

Division 151--How is indebtedness voluntarily discharged?

  • 151.1 Voluntary repayments in respect of debts  
  • 151.5 Voluntary repayment bonus relating to HELP debts  
  • 151.10 Application of voluntary repayments  
  • 151.15 Refunding of payments  

Division 154--How is indebtedness compulsorily discharged?

     Subdivision 154-A--Liability to repay amounts
  • 154.1 Liability to repay amounts  
  • 154.5 Repayment income  
  • 154.10 Minimum repayment income  
  • 154.15 Repayable debt for an income year  
  •      Subdivision 154-B--Amounts payable to the Commonwealth  
  • 154.20 Amounts payable to the Commonwealth  
  • 154.25 Indexation  
  • 154.30 Publishing indexed amounts  
  •      Subdivision 154-C--Assessments  
  • 154.35 Commissioner may make assessments  
  • 154.40 Notification of notices of assessment of tax  
  • 154.45 Commissioner may defer making assessments  
  • 154.50 Commissioner may amend assessments  
  • 154.55 Higher education providers etc. to provide information to Commissioner  
  •      Subdivision 154-D--Application of tax legislation  
  • 154.60 Returns, assessments, collection and recovery  
  • 154.65 Charges and civil penalties for failing to meet obligations  
  • 154.70 Pay as you go (PAYG) withholding  
  • 154.75 Provisional tax  
  • 154.80 Pay as you go (PAYG) instalments  
  •  

CHAPTER 5--Administration

 

Division 159--Introduction

  • 159.1 What this Chapter is about  
  • 159.5 The Administration Guidelines  

PART 5-1--PAYMENTS BY THE COMMONWEALTH

Division 164--Payments by the Commonwealth

PART 5-2--ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS ON HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS

Division 169--Administrative requirements on higher education providers

  • 169.1 What this Part is about  
  • 169.5 Notices  
  • 169.10 Correction of notices  
  • 169.15 Charging student contribution amounts and tuition fees  
  • 169.20 Exempt students  
  • 169.25 Determining census dates and EFTSL values  
  • 169.30 Communications with the Commonwealth concerning students etc.  

PART 5-3--ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

Division 174--Electronic communications

  • 174.1 What this Part is about  
  • 174.5 Electronic communications from students to higher education providers  
  • 174.10 Electronic communication by students of students' signatures  
  • 174.15 The effect of sections 174-5 and 174-10  
  • 174.20 Notices electronically communicated from higher education providers to students  
  • 174.25 Guidelines may deal with electronic communications from higher education providers to students  

PART 5-4--PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Division 179--Protection of personal information

  • 179.1 What this Part is about  
  • 179.5 Meaning of personal information  
  • 179.10 Use of personal information  
  • 179.15 Meanings of officer etc. and official employment  
  • 179.20 When information is disclosed in the course of official employment  
  • 179.25 Commissioner may disclose information  
  • 179.30 Oath or affirmation to protect information  
  • 179.35 Unauthorised access to, or modification of, personal information  

PART 5-5--TAX FILE NUMBERS

Division 184--Introduction

  • 184.1 What this Part is about  

Division 187--What are the tax file number requirements for assistance under Chapter 3?

  • 187.1 Meeting the tax file number requirements  

Division 190--In what circumstances can higher education providers be notified of tax file number matters?

  • 190.1 When tax file numbers are issued etc.  
  • 190.5 When tax file numbers are altered  
  • 190.10 When tax file numbers are incorrectly notified—students with tax file numbers  
  • 190.15 When tax file numbers are incorrectly notified—students without tax file numbers  
  • 190.20 When applications are refused or tax file numbers are cancelled  

Division 193--What are the requirements on higher education providers relating to tax file numbers?

  • 193.1 Giving information about tax file number requirements  
  • 193.5 Cancelling enrolments of people without tax file numbers  

PART 5-6--INDEXATION

Division 198--Indexation

  • 198.1 What this Part is about  
  • 198.5 The amounts that are to be indexed  
  • 198.10 Indexing amounts  
  • 198.15 Meaning of indexation factor  
  • 198.20 Meaning of index number  
  • 198.25 Review of indexation  

PART 5-7--REVIEW OF DECISIONS

Division 203--Introduction

  • 203.1 What this Part is about  

Division 206--Which decisions are subject to review?

  • 206.1 Reviewable decisions etc.  
  • 206.5 Deadlines for making reviewable decisions  
  • 206.10 Decision maker must give reasons for reviewable decisions  

Division 209--How are decisions reconsidered?

  • 209.1 Reviewer of decisions  
  • 209.5 Reviewer may reconsider reviewable decisions  
  • 209.10 Reconsideration of reviewable decisions on request  

Division 212--Which decisions are subject to AAT review?

  • 212.1 AAT review of reviewable decisions  
  •  

CHAPTER 6--The provision of higher education in the external Territories

 

Division 217--Introduction

  • 217.1 What this Chapter is about  

PART 6-1--APPROVAL AND ACCREDITATION

Division 222--Introduction

  • 222.1 What this Part is about  

Division 225--How does a person obtain approval and accreditation?

  • 225.1 Application for approval as self-accrediting entity or for accreditation of course  
  • 225.5 Approving a person as a self-accrediting entity  
  • 225.10 Accrediting a course of study  
  • 225.15 Duration of approval and accreditation  
  • 225.20 Amending or revoking an approval or accreditation  
  • 225.25 Fees  

Division 228--Limitations upon operations of certain persons in the external Territories

  • 228.1 Persons without accreditation not to operate as universities or other provider in external Territories  
  • 228.5 Persons without accreditation not to offer higher education awards or courses in external Territories  
  • 228.10 Persons without accreditation not to describe themselves as universities in external Territories  
  • 228.15 Meanings of operating and offering  

PART 6-2--USE OF COMPANY NAMES AND BUSINESS NAMES

Division 233--Use of company names and business names

  • 233.1 Law in force in external Territory not to allow company or business names using the word "university" etc.  
  •  

CHAPTER 7--Miscellaneous

 

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