Student Assistance Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Student Assistance Regulations 1976 were established under the authority of the Student Assistance Act 1973, which was enacted to provide financial assistance to students pursuing approved courses of study. The 1976 Regulations, made by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to amend and further define the provisions of the Act, specifically addressing the inclusion of additional educational institutions eligible for student assistance. These Regulations were introduced to ensure that the support system under the Act is comprehensive and inclusive of various educational institutions across different states. The primary policy objective is to enhance access to higher education by providing financial assistance to students, thereby supporting the development of a skilled and educated workforce in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Student Assistance Regulations 1976, enacted under the Student Assistance Act 1973, apply to a range of educational institutions in Australia, which are designated as technical colleges for the purposes of the Act. These regulations extend to students enrolled in the listed colleges and institutions across various states and territories, including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The regulations specify institutions such as Bedford College, Cambridge College, and the Australian College of Physical Education, among others, and detail their status as technical colleges. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying to educational institutions across multiple states and territories in Australia. The regulations may be further extended or modified through subordinate instruments, ensuring that the list of applicable institutions and their status as technical colleges can be updated as necessary. These regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but the specific inclusion of certain institutions implies that only those listed are covered under the terms of the Act.

Key Provisions

The Student Assistance Regulations 1976, made under the Student Assistance Act 1973, outline the educational institutions that are recognised as technical colleges for the purposes of student assistance (Regulation 7). This means these institutions are eligible to provide courses that can be supported through the student assistance schemes. Specifically, the regulations list institutions in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania (Schedule 3). For example, institutions such as Bedford College, Cambridge College, and the Australian College of Physical Education in New South Wales are included in this list. The Act imposes specific obligations on these educational institutions to ensure they meet certain standards and criteria to maintain their eligibility for student assistance. These institutions must adhere to the requirements set out in the regulations to continue receiving support for their students. This includes maintaining certain academic standards and ensuring that courses offered are recognised and beneficial to the students seeking assistance. Breach of the regulations or failure to meet the outlined criteria can lead to various consequences. While the regulations themselves do not explicitly state penalties, breaches of the Student Assistance Act 1973 may result in civil or criminal penalties under the primary Act. These can include fines and other legal repercussions depending on the severity of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined by the courts in the context of the breach and the relevant sections of the primary Act. In summary, the Student Assistance Regulations 1976 detail the educational institutions recognised as technical colleges for student assistance, impose obligations on these institutions to meet specific criteria, and imply potential consequences for non-compliance, including fines and other penalties as outlined in the Student Assistance Act 1973.