Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE‑HELP Assistance) Act 2008
No. 11, 2008
An Act to amend the Higher Education Support Act 2003, and for related purposes
Contents
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Schedule(s)
Schedule 1—Amendments
Higher Education Support Act 2003
Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE-HELP Assistance) Act 2008
No. 11, 2008
An Act to amend the Higher Education Support Act 2003, and for related purposes
[Assented to 20 March 2008]
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE‑HELP Assistance) Act 2008.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
3 Schedule(s)
Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.
Schedule 1—Amendments
Higher Education Support Act 2003
1 At the end of clause 6 of Schedule 1A
Add:
; and (g) the body complies with any requirements set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines relating to *VET credit transfer arrangements.
2 After clause 27 of Schedule 1A
Insert:
27A Requirements in the VET Provider Guidelines
A *VET provider must comply with any requirements set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines relating to:
(a) fees for *VET units of study; or
(b) fees for *VET courses of study; or
(c) matters or things for which fees may be charged.
3 Subclause 28(1) of Schedule 1A
After “provide”, insert “, other than under *VET restricted access arrangements,”.
Note: The following heading to subclause 28(1) is inserted “General rule”.
4 After subclause 28(2) of Schedule 1A
Insert:
Restricted access arrangements
(2A) A *VET provider must give the Minister a schedule of the *VET tuition fees determined under clause 27 for each *VET unit of study it provides or proposes to provide under a *VET restricted access arrangement during a period ascertained in accordance with the *VET Provider Guidelines. It must give the schedule:
(a) in a form approved by the Minister; and
(b) in accordance with the requirements that the Minister determines in writing.
(2B) The provider must:
(a) ensure that the schedule provides sufficient information to enable a person to work out the person’s *VET tuition fee for the *VET unit of study the provider provides or is to provide under the *VET restricted access arrangement; and
(b) ensure that the schedule is available, on request and without charge, to all students enrolled, or eligible to be enrolled, under the VET restricted access arrangement.
5 Subparagraph 28(3)(a)(i) of Schedule 1A
After “(1)”, insert “or (2A)”.
6 Subclause 28(4) of Schedule 1A
Omit “and (2)”, substitute “to (2B)”.
7 At the end of clause 43 of Schedule 1A
Add:
; and (i) the student meets any other requirements set out in the *VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines.
8 Subclause 45(1) of Schedule 1A
Repeal the subclause, substitute:
(1) The course requirements for *VET FEE‑HELP assistance for a *VET unit of study are that the unit:
(a) is being undertaken as part of a *VET course of study that meets any requirements set out in the *VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines relating to *VET credit transfer arrangements; and
(b) is not being undertaken as part of a VET course of study that:
(i) is subject to a determination under subclause (2); or
(ii) is with a *VET provider that is subject to a determination under subclause (2).
9 Clause 1 of Schedule 1
Insert:
VET credit transfer arrangement means an arrangement for crediting a *VET unit of study or *VET course of study toward a *higher education award.
10 Clause 1 of Schedule 1
Insert:
VET restricted access arrangement, for a *VET course of study, means an arrangement:
(a) that was entered into between the *VET provider providing the course and an employer or industry body; and
(b) that limits or restricts enrolments in some or all of the places in the course.
[Minister’s second reading speech made in—
House of Representatives on 14 February 2008
Senate on 11 March 2008]
(7/08)