An Act relating to the funding of higher education, and for other purposes

This Act may be cited as the Higher Education Support Act 2003.

(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
1. Sections 1‑1 and 1‑5 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table	The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.	19 December 2003
2. Sections 1‑10 to 238‑15	The later of: (a) 1 January 2004; and (b) the day after the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.	1 January 2004
3. Schedule 1	The later of: (a) 1 January 2004; and (b) the day after the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.	1 January 2004

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.

(2) Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or edited in any published version of this Act.

1‑10 Identifying defined terms

(1) Many of the terms in this Act are defined in the Dictionary in Schedule 1.

(2) Most of the terms that are defined in the Dictionary in Schedule 1 are identified by an asterisk appearing at the start of the term: as in “*accredited course”. The footnote with the asterisk contains a signpost to the Dictionary.

(3) An asterisk usually identifies the first occurrence of a term in a section (if not divided into subsections), subsection or definition. Later occurrences of the term in the same provision are not usually asterisked.

(4) Terms are not asterisked in headings, notes, examples, explanatory tables, guides, outline provisions or diagrams.

(5) If a term is not identified by an asterisk, disregard that fact in deciding whether or not to apply to that term a definition or other interpretation provision.

(6) The following basic terms used throughout the Act are not identified with an asterisk:

Terms that are not identified
Item	This term:	is defined in:
1	enrol	Schedule 1
2	higher education provider	section 16‑1
3	student	Schedule 1
4	unit of study	Schedule 1

1‑15 Application of Chapter 6 etc.

Chapter 6 and any regulation made for the purposes of that Chapter extend to every external Territory.

Division 2—Objects

2‑1 Objects of this Act

The objects of this Act are:

(a) to support a higher education system that:

(i) is characterised by quality, diversity and equity of access; and

(ii) contributes to the development of cultural and intellectual life in Australia; and

(iii) is appropriate to meet Australia’s social and economic needs for a highly educated and skilled population; and

(b) to support the distinctive purposes of universities, which are:

(i) the education of persons, enabling them to take a leadership role in the intellectual, cultural, economic and social development of their communities; and

(ii) the creation and advancement of knowledge; and

(iii) the application of knowledge and discoveries to the betterment of communities in Australia and internationally;

recognising that universities are established under laws of the Commonwealth, the States and the Territories that empower them to achieve their objectives as autonomous institutions through governing bodies that are responsible for both the university’s overall performance and its ongoing independence; and

(c) to strengthen Australia’s knowledge base, and enhance the contribution of Australia’s research capabilities to national economic development, international competitiveness and the attainment of social goals; and

(d) to support students undertaking higher education and certain vocational education and training.

Division 3—Overview of this Act

3‑1 General

This Act primarily provides for the Commonwealth to give financial support for higher education and certain vocational education and training:

(a) through grants and other payments made largely to higher education providers; and

(b) through financial assistance to students (usually in the form of loans).

3‑5 Grants for higher education assistance etc. (Chapter 2)

(1) Chapter 2 sets out who are higher education providers, and provides for the following grants and payments:

(a) grants under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme;

(b) other grants for particular purposes;

(2) Higher education providers will be universities, self‑accrediting entities or non self‑accrediting entities.

(3) Chapter 2 also provides for the direct payment to students of certain Commonwealth scholarships.

3‑10 Assistance to students (Chapter 3)

Chapter 3 provides for the following assistance to students:

(a) HECS‑HELP assistance for student contribution amounts;

(b) FEE‑HELP assistance for tuition fees;

Chapter 3 also provides for the Student Learning Entitlement.

3‑15 Repayment of loans (Chapter 4)

Chapter 4 sets out how debts are incurred and worked out in relation to loans made under Chapter 3, and provides for their repayment.

3‑20 Administration (Chapter 5)

Chapter 5 provides for several administrative matters relating to the operation of this Act.

3‑25 Provision of higher education in the external Territories (Chapter 6)

Chapter 6 primarily provides for approval of universities, self‑accrediting entities and non self‑accrediting entities to operate in external Territories, and for accreditation of courses of study in those Territories.

3‑30 VET FEE‑HELP Assistance Scheme (Schedule 1A)

Schedule 1A provides for financial assistance to students undertaking certain accredited vocational education and training (VET) courses.

Division 5—Application of Act to Table C providers

5‑1 Application of Act to Table C providers

General application to Table C providers

(1) The provisions of this Act not listed in the table in subsection (2) or in subsection (4) apply to a *Table C provider, the *Australian branch of the provider and to students undertaking or proposing to undertake units of study at that branch.

Modified application to Table C providers

(2) The provisions of this Act listed in the table apply to a *Table C provider in the way set out in the table.

Application of Act to Table C providers
Item	Provision	Application
1	Subdivision 19‑C (quality requirements)	Applies to the Australian branch of the provider. However, an audit by a quality auditing body may need to assess the overall performance of the provider as it relates to that branch.
2	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.
3	Subdivision 19‑F (contribution and fee requirements)	Applies to the *Australian branch of the provider and to students undertaking or proposing to undertake units of study at that branch.
4	Part 3‑3 (FEE‑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.
5	Part 3‑4 (OS‑HELP assistance)	Applies to eligible students of the *Australian branch of the provider.
6	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.
7	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.
8	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.
9	Part 5‑4 (Protection of personal information)	Applies to the *Australian branch of the provider and to students undertaking or proposing to undertake units of study at that branch.
10	Part 5‑5 (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.
11	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 Table C providers

(3) The provisions of this Act listed in subsection (4) do not apply to:

(a) a *Table C provider; or

(b) the *Australian branch of the provider; or

(4) The provisions are:

(a) Part 2‑2 (Commonwealth Grant Scheme);

(b) Part 2‑3 (Other grants);

(d) Part 2‑5 (Reduction and repayment of grants);

(e) Part 3‑2 (HECS‑HELP assistance);

(f) Schedule 1A (VET FEE‑HELP Assistance Scheme).

Division 6—Schedule 1A

6‑1 Schedule 1A

Schedule 1A has effect.

Chapter 2—Grants for higher education assistance etc.

Division 8—Introduction

8‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter provides for who are higher education providers, and for 3 kinds of grants to be made.

Part 2‑1 sets out who are higher education providers (universities, self‑accrediting entities and non self‑accrediting entities), the quality and accountability requirements for higher education providers and how bodies cease to be higher education providers.

Note: Except in very limited cases, only higher education providers can get grants under this Chapter.

The 3 kinds of grants available under this Chapter are:

• grants under Part 2‑2 (Commonwealth Grant Scheme) to certain higher education providers. Amounts of grants are based largely on the number of Commonwealth supported places that the Minister allocates to each provider. Grants are made subject to conditions; and

• other grants under Part 2‑3 to higher education providers and other bodies corporate for a variety of purposes; and

• grants for Commonwealth scholarships to certain higher education providers under Part 2‑4.

The amount of a grant may be reduced, or an amount paid may be required to be repaid, if the recipient breaches a quality and accountability requirement or a condition of the grant (see Part 2‑5).

Note: A body’s approval as a higher education provider may be suspended or revoked for such a breach.

This Chapter also provides for the direct payment to students of certain Commonwealth scholarships under Part 2‑4.

Part 2‑1—Higher education providers

Division 13—Introduction

13‑1 What this Part is about

A body generally has to be approved as a higher education provider before it can receive grants, or its students can receive assistance, under this Act. Listed providers (universities and certain self‑accrediting entities) have that approval upon commencement of this Act. Table C providers have that approval from the time they are included in Table C. Bodies that do not have that automatic approval, or whose approval has been revoked, have to apply for approval.

Higher education providers are subject to the quality and accountability requirements.

A body’s approval as a higher education provider may be revoked in circumstances such as breach of a quality and accountability requirement.

13‑5 The Higher Education Provider Guidelines

Higher education providers and the *quality and accountability requirements are also dealt with in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The Higher Education Provider Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Division 16—What is a higher education provider?

Subdivision 16‑A—General

16‑1 Meaning of higher education provider

A higher education provider is a body corporate that is approved under this Division.

16‑5 When a body becomes or ceases to be a higher education provider

(1) A *listed provider is taken to be approved as a higher education provider from the commencement of this Act.

(1A) A *Table C provider is taken to be approved as a higher education provider from the commencement of the provision that included the provider in Table C in section 16‑22.

(2) A body corporate:

(a) that is not a *listed provider or a *Table C provider; or

(b) that is a listed provider or a Table C provider that has previously ceased to be a higher education provider;

becomes a provider if approved by the Minister under section 16‑25.

(3) A higher education provider ceases to be a provider if the provider’s approval is revoked or suspended under Division 22 or the notice of the provider’s approval ceases to have effect under Part 5 (Parliamentary scrutiny of legislative instruments) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Subdivision 16‑B—Which bodies are listed providers?

16‑10 Listed providers

The following are listed providers:

(a) a *Table A provider;

(b) a *Table B provider.

16‑15 Table A providers

(1) The following are Table A providers:

Table A providers
Providers
Central Queensland University
Charles Darwin University
Charles Sturt University
Curtin University of Technology
Deakin University
Edith Cowan University
Griffith University
James Cook University
La Trobe University
Macquarie University
Monash University
Murdoch University
Queensland University of Technology
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Southern Cross University
Swinburne University of Technology
The Australian National University
The Flinders University of South Australia
The University of Adelaide
The University of Melbourne
The University of Queensland
The University of Sydney
The University of Western Australia
University of Ballarat
University of Canberra
University of Newcastle
University of New England
University of New South Wales
University of South Australia
University of Southern Queensland
University of Tasmania
University of Technology, Sydney
University of the Sunshine Coast
University of Western Sydney
University of Wollongong
Victoria University
Australian Catholic University
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education

(2) However, a body is not a Table A provider if its approval as a higher education provider is revoked or suspended.

16‑20 Table B providers

(1) The following are Table B providers:

Table B providers
Providers
Bond University
The University of Notre Dame Australia
Melbourne College of Divinity

(2) However, a body is not a Table B provider if its approval as a higher education provider is revoked or suspended.

16‑22 Table C providers

(1) The following are Table C providers:

Table C providers
Providers
Carnegie Mellon University, a non‑profit organisation established under Pennsylvania law
University College London, a non‑profit organisation established under United Kingdom law

(2) However, a body is not a Table C provider if its approval as a higher education provider is revoked or suspended.

Note: A Table C provider is not entitled to receive a grant under this Chapter: see section 5‑1.

Subdivision 16‑C—How are bodies approved as higher education providers?

16‑25 Approval by the Minister

The Minister, in writing, may approve a body corporate as a higher education provider if:

(a) the body:

(i) is established under the law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; and

(ii) carries on business in Australia; and

(iii) has its central management and control in Australia; and

(aa) the body’s principal purpose is either or both of the following:

(i) to provide education;

(ii) to conduct research; and

(b) the body is:

(i) an *Australian university; or

(ii) a *self‑accrediting entity; or

(iii) a *non self‑accrediting entity; and

(c) the body either fulfils the *tuition assurance requirements or is exempted from those requirements under section 16‑31; and

(d) the body is in a State or Territory that the Minister is satisfied has legislation that complies with the *National Protocols; and

(da) the body offers at least one *course of study that leads to a *higher education award; and

(db) if the body is a self‑accrediting entity:

(i) the body is authorised by a *government accreditation authority to accredit that course; or

(ii) the course is an *accredited course; and

(dc) if the body is a non self‑accrediting entity—the course is an accredited course; and

(e) the body applies for approval as provided for in section 16‑40; and

(f) the Minister is satisfied that the body is willing and able to meet the *quality and accountability requirements.

16‑30 The tuition assurance requirements

The tuition assurance requirements are that the body corporate complies with the requirements for tuition assurance set out in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines.

16‑31 Tuition assurance requirements exemption for approvals

(1) The Minister may, in writing, exempt a body corporate from the *tuition assurance requirements for the purposes of approving the body under section 16‑25.

Note: This section only deals with exemptions from the tuition assurance requirements when approving bodies as higher education providers. For exemptions from the tuition assurance requirements after approval has happened, see subsection 19‑40(2).

(2) An exemption is subject to such conditions as are specified in the exemption.

Note: A body will not be exempt if a condition of the exemption is not complied with.

(3) An exemption given under this section is not a legislative instrument.

16‑40 Application

(1) A body corporate may apply in writing to the Minister for approval as a higher education provider.

(2) The application:

(a) must be in the form approved by the Minister; and

(b) must be accompanied by such information as the Minister requests.

16‑45 Minister may seek further information

(1) For the purposes of determining an application, the Minister may, by notice in writing, require an applicant to provide such further information as the Minister directs within the period specified in the notice.

(2) If an applicant does not comply with a requirement under subsection (1), the application is taken to have been withdrawn.

(3) A notice under this section must include a statement about the effect of subsection (2).

16‑50 Minister to decide application

(1) The Minister must:

(a) decide an application for approval as a higher education provider; and

(b) cause the applicant to be notified in writing whether or not the applicant is approved as a higher education provider.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 16‑25(f), the Minister may be satisfied that a body corporate is willing and able to meet the *quality and accountability requirements if the body gives the Minister such written undertakings as the Minister requires.

(3) The Minister’s decision must be made:

(a) within 90 days after receiving the application; or

(b) if further information is requested under section 16‑45—within 60 days after the end of the period within which the information was required to be provided under that section;

whichever is the later.

(4) If the Minister decides that an applicant is approved as a higher education provider, the notice must also contain such information as is specified in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines as information that must be provided to an applicant upon approval as a higher education provider.

16‑55 Approvals are legislative instruments

(1) A notice of approval under paragraph 16‑50(1)(b) is a legislative instrument.

(2) A decision of the Minister to approve a body corporate as a higher education provider takes effect when the notice of approval takes effect under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Note: Section 12 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 provides for when a legislative instrument takes effect.

Division 19—What are the quality and accountability requirements?

Subdivision 19‑A—General

19‑1 The quality and accountability requirements

(1) The quality and accountability requirements are:

(a) the *financial viability requirements (see Subdivision 19‑B); and

(b) the *quality requirements (see Subdivision 19‑C); and

(d) the *compliance requirements (see Subdivision 19‑E); and

(e) the *contribution and fee requirements (see Subdivision 19‑F).

(2) This Division does not of its own force require a higher education provider to do any act or thing.

Subdivision 19‑B—The financial viability requirements

19‑5 Basic requirement

A higher education provider:

(a) must be financially viable; and

(b) must be likely to remain financially viable.

19‑10 Financial information must be provided

(1) A higher education provider must give to the Minister a financial statement for each *annual financial reporting period for the provider in which:

(a) the provider receives assistance under this Chapter; or

(b) a student of the provider receives assistance under Chapter 3.

(2) The statement:

(a) must be in the form approved by the Minister; and

(b) must be provided together with a report on the statement by an independent *qualified auditor; and

(c) must be provided within 6 months after the end of the *annual financial reporting period for which the statement was given.

(3) An annual financial reporting period, for a higher education provider, is the period of 12 months:

(a) to which the provider’s accounts relate; and

(b) that is notified in writing to the Minister as the provider’s annual financial reporting period.

19‑12 Minister to have regard to financial information

In determining whether a higher education provider is financially viable, and likely to remain so, the Minister must have regard to any financial statement provided by the provider under section 19‑10.

Subdivision 19‑C—The quality requirements

19‑15 Provider must maintain quality

(1) A higher education provider must operate, and continue to operate, at an appropriate level of quality for an Australian higher education provider.

(2) The Minister must not determine that a higher education provider meets an appropriate level of quality for an Australian higher education provider, unless the Minister is satisfied that:

(a) the provider meets the requirements of section 19‑20; and

(b) if the provider is not a *Table A provider—the provider meets the requirements of section 19‑25; and

19‑20 Provider to comply with National Protocols etc.

A higher education provider must:

(a) be assessed, by a *government accreditation authority, as meeting the relevant requirements set out in the *National Protocols; and

(b) comply with any requirement imposed on the provider by a government accreditation authority; and

(c) comply with any requirement imposed on the provider by the Minister in writing in order to implement a specified recommendation of a *quality auditing body.

19‑25 Quality assurance—provider (other than Table A provider)

(1) A higher education provider (other than a *Table A provider) must be audited:

(a) by a *quality auditing body for the provider; and

(b) as the auditing body requires.

(2) The provider must also:

(a) after a request from a *quality auditing body for the provider to audit the provider, allow the audit to start within the time agreed to by the body and provider; and

(b) fully co‑operate with the auditing body in the course of its audit; and

(3) The provider’s agreement under paragraph (2)(a) must be given to the *quality auditing body within one month after the body makes the request to the provider.

19‑27 Quality assurance—Table A provider

(1) A *Table A provider must be audited by a *quality auditing body for the provider at least once every 5 years.

(2) The provider must, in relation to each audit of the provider:

(a) either:

(i) before the start of the audit, reach agreement with the body on the time of, and the arrangements for, the audit; or

(ii) comply with the Minister’s determination under subsection (3); and

(b) in relation to each audit, comply with any requests, made in the course of the audit by the body conducting the audit, that are reasonable having regard to the provider’s circumstances.

(3) If the provider and the *quality auditing body are unable to agree on matters referred to in subparagraph (2)(a)(i) in relation to an audit of the provider, the Minister may, after consulting with the provider, determine in writing the audit arrangements for the provider.

19‑29 Quality auditing bodies

The Higher Education Provider Guidelines may:

(a) list a body as a*quality auditing body for one or more kinds of higher education provider; and

(b) set out requirements that must be met by quality auditing bodies in conducting audits of higher education providers.

Subdivision 19‑D—The fairness requirements

19‑30 Basic requirement

A higher education provider must treat fairly:

(a) all of its students; and

(b) all of the persons seeking to enrol with the provider.

19‑35 Benefits and opportunities must be available equally to all students

(1) A higher education provider that receives assistance under this Chapter in respect of a student, or a class of students, must ensure that the benefits of, and the opportunities created by, the assistance are made equally available to all such students, or students in such class, in respect of whom that assistance is payable.

(2) A higher education provider that receives:

(a) any grant or allocation under this Chapter; or

(b) any payment under section 124‑1 on account of amounts of *OS‑HELP assistance;

must have open, fair and transparent procedures that, in the provider’s reasonable view, are based on merit for making decisions about the selection of students who are to benefit from the grant, allocation or payment.

(3) Subsection (2) does not prevent a higher education provider taking into account, in making such decisions about the selection of students, educational disadvantages that a particular student has experienced.

(4) A higher education provider that receives any payment under section 110‑1 on account of amounts of *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study must have open, fair and transparent procedures that, in the provider’s reasonable view, are based on merit for making decisions about:

(a) the selection, from among the persons who seek to enrol with the provider in that unit of study, of persons to enrol; and

(b) the treatment of students undertaking that unit of study.

(5) Subsection (4) does not prevent a higher education provider taking into account, in making decisions mentioned in that subsection, educational disadvantages that a particular student has experienced.

19‑37 Requiring membership of certain organisations or payment of certain amounts

(1) A higher education provider must not:

(a) require a person to be or to become a member of an organisation of students, or of students and other persons; or

(b) require a person enrolled with, or seeking to enrol with, the provider to pay to the provider or any other entity an amount in respect of an organisation of students, or of students and other persons;

unless the person has chosen to be or to become a member of the organisation.

(2) A higher education provider must not require a person enrolled with, or seeking to enrol with, the provider to pay to the provider or any other entity an amount for the provision to students of an amenity, facility or service that is not of an academic nature, unless the person has chosen to use the amenity, facility or service.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to an amount that the higher education provider requires the person to pay if the amount is for goods or services that:

(a) are essential for the course of study in which the person is enrolled or seeking to enrol; and

(b) the person has the choice of acquiring from, but does not acquire from, a supplier other than the higher education provider; and

(i) are goods that become the property of the person that are not intended to be consumed during the course of study; or

(ii) consist of food, transport or accommodation associated with provision of field trips in connection with the course of study.

19‑40 Compliance with the tuition assurance requirements

(1) A higher education provider, other than a *Table A provider or a body declared under subsection (2), must comply with the *tuition assurance requirements.

(2) The Minister may, by declaration in writing, exempt a specified higher education provider from the requirement in subsection (1).

(3) An exemption:

(a) is subject to such conditions as are specified in the exemption; and

(b) may be expressed to be in force for a period specified in the exemption.

Note: A body will not be exempt if a condition of the exemption is not complied with.

(4) An exemption given under this section is not a legislative instrument.

19‑45 Student grievance and review procedures

Must have grievance and review procedures

(1) A higher education provider must have:

(a) a grievance procedure for dealing with complaints by the provider’s students, and persons who seek to enrol in *courses of study with the provider, relating to non‑academic matters; and

(b) a grievance procedure for dealing with complaints by the provider’s students relating to academic matters; and

(i) under section 36‑22; or

(ii) relating to assistance under Chapter 3.

Note: Part 5‑7 also deals with reconsideration and review of decisions.

(2) Except where the provider is a *Table A provider, the grievance procedures referred to in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) must comply with the requirements of the Higher Education Provider Guidelines.

(3) The review procedure referred to in paragraph (1)(c) must comply with the requirements of the Higher Education Provider Guidelines.

Guidelines may provide for matters relating to reviews

(4) The Higher Education Provider Guidelines may provide for matters relating to reviews of decisions made by higher education providers:

(a) under section 36‑22; or

(b) relating to assistance under Chapter 3;

including procedures that are to be followed by *review officers when reviewing those decisions.

Provider to comply with procedures

(5) The provider must comply with its grievance and review procedures.

Provider to provide information about procedures

(6) The provider must publish, and make publicly available, up to date information setting out the procedures.

Provider to provide information about other complaint mechanisms

(7) The provider must publish information about any other complaint mechanisms available to complain about the provider’s decisions.

19‑50 Higher education providers to appoint review officers

(1) A higher education provider must appoint a *review officer to undertake reviews of decisions made by the provider:

(a) under section 36‑22; or

(b) relating to assistance under Chapter 3.

Note: The Secretary may delegate to a review officer of a higher education provider the power to reconsider decisions of the provider under Division 209: see subsection 238‑1(2).

(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:

(d) relating to assistance under Chapter 3.

19‑55 Review officers not to review own decisions

A higher education provider must ensure that a *review officer of the provider:

(a) does not review a decision that the review officer was involved in making; and

(b) in reviewing a decision of the provider, occupies a position that is senior to that occupied by any person involved in making the original decision.

19‑60 Procedures relating to personal information

(1) A higher education provider must comply with the information privacy principles set out in section 14 of the Privacy Act 1988 in respect of *personal information obtained for the purposes of section 36‑22 or Chapter 3 or 4.

(2) A higher education provider must have a procedure under which a student enrolled with the provider may apply to the provider for, and receive, a copy of *personal information that the provider holds in relation to that student.

(3) The provider must comply with:

(a) the requirements of the Higher Education Provider Guidelines relating to *personal information in relation to students; and

(b) the procedure referred to in subsection (2).

Subdivision 19‑E—The compliance requirements

19‑65 Basic requirements

(1) A higher education provider must comply with the requirements of this Act and the regulations, and the requirements of the Guidelines made under section 238‑10 that apply to the provider.

(2) A higher education provider must provide information to the Minister in relation to the affairs of the provider in accordance with the requirements of this Act.

(3) A higher education provider’s administrative arrangements must support the provision of assistance under this Act.

19‑70 Provider to provide statement of general information

(1) A higher education provider must give to the Minister such statistical and other information that the Minister by notice in writing requires from the provider in respect of:

(a) the provision of higher education by the provider; and

(b) compliance by the provider with the requirements of this Act.

(2) The information must be provided:

(a) in a form approved by the Minister; and

(b) in accordance with such other requirements as the Minister makes.

(3) A notice under this section must not require the giving of information that a higher education provider is required to give to the Minister under section 19‑95.

19‑75 Notice of events that affect provider’s ability to comply with conditions of Commonwealth assistance

A higher education provider must by writing inform the Minister of any event affecting:

(a) the provider; or

(b) a *related body corporate of the provider;

that may significantly affect the provider’s capacity to meet the conditions of grants under this Chapter or the *quality and accountability requirements.

19‑77 Notice of events affecting accreditation

A higher education provider must by writing inform the Minister of any event affecting:

(a) the provider; or

(b) a *related body corporate of the provider;

that relates to:

(d) the accreditation by a *government accreditation authority, of such courses offered by the provider.

19‑80 Compliance assurance—provider (other than Table A provider)

(1) The Minister may require a higher education provider (other than a *Table A provider) to be audited as to compliance with any one or more of the following requirements:

(a) the *financial viability requirements;

(b) the *fairness requirements;

(d) the *contribution and fee requirements.

(2) The audit must be conducted:

(a) by a body determined in writing by the Minister; and

(b) at such time or times, and in such manner, as the Minister requires.

(3) The provider must:

(a) fully co‑operate with the auditing body in the course of its audit; and

(b) pay to the auditing body any charges payable for such an audit.

(4) A determination made under paragraph (2)(a) is not a legislative instrument.

Subdivision 19‑F—What are the contribution and fee requirements?

19‑85 Basic requirement

A higher education provider must charge, in accordance with the requirements of this Act, *student contribution amounts and *tuition fees for each unit of study in which it enrols students.

19‑87 Determining student contribution amounts for all places in units

(1) This section applies to a unit of study:

(a) that a higher education provider provides or proposes to provide during a period ascertained in accordance with the Higher Education Provider Guidelines; and

(b) in relation to which the provider may advise a person that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student.

(2) The provider must determine, for places in the unit, one or more *student contribution amounts that are to apply to students who may enrol in the unit during the period.

(2A) In determining more than one *student contribution amount under subsection (2), the provider may have regard to any matters the provider considers appropriate, other than matters specified in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines as matters to which a provider must not have regard.

(3) The provider must not vary a *student contribution amount unless the provider:

(a) does so:

(i) before the date ascertained in accordance with the Higher Education Provider Guidelines; and

(ii) in circumstances specified in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines; or

(b) does so with the written approval of the Minister.

19‑90 Determining tuition fees for all students

(1) This section applies to a unit of study that a higher education provider provides or proposes to provide during a period ascertained in accordance with the Higher Education Provider Guidelines.

(2) The provider must determine, for the unit, one or more *fees that are to apply to students who may enrol in the unit during the period.

(3) In determining more than one *fee under subsection (2), the provider may have regard to any matters the provider considers appropriate, other than matters specified in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines as matters to which a provider must not have regard.

(4) The provider must not vary a *fee unless the provider:

(a) does so:

(i) before the date ascertained in accordance with the Higher Education Provider Guidelines; and

(ii) in circumstances specified in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines; or

(b) does so with the written approval of the Minister.

19‑95 Schedules of student contribution amounts for places and tuition fees

(1) A higher education provider must give the Minister a schedule of the *student contribution amounts for places, and *tuition fees, determined under sections 19‑87 and 19‑90 for all the units of study it provides or proposes to provide during a period ascertained in accordance with the Higher Education 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.

(2) The provider must:

(a) ensure that the schedule provides sufficient information to enable a person to work out, for each unit of study the provider provides or is to provide:

(i) the person’s *student contribution amount; and

(ii) if the provider determined more than one student contribution amount for places in a unit under section 19‑87—which of those student contribution amounts applies to the person; and

(aa) ensure that the schedule provides sufficient information to enable a person to work out, for each unit of study the provider provides or is to provide:

(i) the person’s *tuition fee; and

(ii) if the provider determined more than one tuition fee for a unit under section 19‑90—which of those tuition fees applies to the person; and

(b) publish the schedule for a particular period by the date ascertained in accordance with the Higher Education Provider Guidelines; and

(c) ensure that the schedule is available to all students enrolled, and persons seeking to enrol, with the provider on request and without charge.

Replacement schedules

(3) If:

(a) the provider has given the Minister a schedule (the previous schedule) under:

(i) subsection (1); or

(ii) this subsection; and

(b) the provider:

(i) varies a *student contribution amount in the previous schedule; or

(ii) varies a *tuition fee in the previous schedule;

the provider must:

(i) withdraw the previous schedule; and

(ii) inform the Minister of the variation; and

(d) give the Minister a replacement schedule incorporating the variation.

Note 1: The provider must comply with subsection 19‑87(3) when varying a student contribution amount.

Note 2: The provider must comply with subsection 19‑90(4) when varying a tuition fee.

(4) Subsections (1) and (2) apply to the replacement schedule in a corresponding way to the way in which they apply to the previous schedule.

19‑100 Limits on fees for courses of study

A higher education provider must not charge a person a *fee for a *course of study that exceeds the sum of the person’s *tuition fees for all of the units of study undertaken with the provider by the person as part of the course.

19‑102 Meaning of fee

(1) A fee includes any tuition, examination or other fee payable to a higher education provider by a person enrolled with, or applying for enrolment with, the provider.

(2) A fee may also include any fee payable to the provider in respect of the granting of a *higher education award.

(3) A fee does not include a fee that is:

(a) payable in respect of an organisation of students, or of students and other persons; or

(b) payable in respect of the provision to students of amenities or services that are not of an academic nature; or

(d) imposed in accordance with the Higher Education Provider Guidelines for the imposition of fees in respect of *overseas students; or

(e) payable in respect of studies (other than an *enabling course) that are not permitted to be undertaken for the purpose of obtaining a *higher education award; or

(f) determined, in accordance with the Higher Education Provider Guidelines, to be a fee of a kind that is incidental to studies that may be undertaken with a higher education provider; or

(g) a *student contribution amount payable in respect of a student.

(4) The definition of fee in this section does not apply for the purposes of sections 104‑50 and 225‑25.

19‑105 Meaning of tuition fee

A person’s tuition fee for a unit of study is:

(a) if only one fee has been determined for the unit under subsection 19‑90(2)—that fee; or

(b) if more than one fee has been determined for the unit under that subsection—the fee determined under that subsection that applies to the person.

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

A body ceases to be approved as a higher education provider:

(a) if the approval is revoked under Subdivision 22‑B or 22‑D; or

(b) while the approval is suspended under section 22‑30; or

(c) if the notice of the provider’s approval ceases to have effect under Part 5 (Parliamentary scrutiny of legislative instruments) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Subdivision 22‑B—Revocation for cause

22‑5 Revocation of approval if application for approval as a provider is false or misleading

The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if the Minister:

(a) is satisfied that the body’s application under section 16‑40 for approval as a higher education provider contained material that was false or misleading; and

(b) complies with the requirements of section 22‑20.

22‑7 Revocation of approval if providing education and/or conducting research ceases to be the body’s principal purpose

The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if:

(a) at the last time the body became a higher education provider, the body’s principal purpose was either or both of the following:

(i) to provide education;

(ii) to conduct research; and

(b) since that time, the body’s circumstances have changed so that it no longer satisfies paragraph 16‑25(aa); and

22‑10 Revocation of approval if status or accreditation changes

Bodies that cease to be Australian universities

(1) The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if:

(a) the body was an *Australian university at the last time the body became a higher education provider; and

(b) since that time, the body has ceased to be an Australian university; and

Bodies that cease to be self‑accrediting entities

(2) The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if:

(a) the body was a *self‑accrediting entity at the last time the body became a higher education provider; and

(b) since that time, the body has ceased to be a self‑accrediting entity; and

Self‑accrediting entities that cease to have authority to accredit courses

(2A) The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if:

(a) the body was a *self‑accrediting entity at the last time the body became a higher education provider; and

(b) the body is no longer authorised by a *government accreditation authority to accredit a *course of study that the body was authorised to accredit at that time; and

Bodies that cease to be non self‑accrediting entities

(3) The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if:

(a) the body was a *non self‑accrediting entity at the last time the body became a higher education provider; and

(b) since that time, the body has ceased to be a non self‑accrediting entity; and

Bodies offering courses that cease to be accredited courses

(4) The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if:

(a) the body was a *self‑accrediting entity or a *non self‑accrediting entity at the last time the body became a higher education provider; and

(b) a *course of study offered by the body that was an *accredited course ceases to be an accredited course; and

Bodies that no longer meet certain approval criteria

(5) The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if:

(a) the body no longer meets a requirement set out in:

(i) paragraph 16‑25(a); or

(ii) paragraph 16‑25(da); and

(b) the Minister complies with the requirements of section 22‑20.

22‑15 Revocation of approval as a provider for a breach of conditions or the quality and accountability requirements

(1) The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider if the Minister:

(a) is satisfied that the body has either:

(i) breached a condition of a grant made to the body under Part 2‑2, 2‑3 or 2‑4; or

(ii) breached a *quality and accountability requirement; and

(b) is satisfied that it is appropriate to take that action (see subsection (2)); and

(2) Without limiting the matters that the Minister may consider in deciding whether it is appropriate under this section to revoke a body’s approval as a higher education provider, the Minister may consider any or all of the following matters:

(a) whether the breach in question is of a minor or major nature;

(b) whether the breach has occurred before and, if so, how often;

(d) the impact of the breach on the higher education provided by the body;

(e) the impact of the breach on Australia’s reputation as a provider of high quality higher education;

(f) any other matter set out in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines.

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

(1) Before revoking a body’s approval as a higher education provider under Subdivision 22‑B, the Minister must give the body notice in writing:

(a) stating that the Minister is considering revoking the body’s approval; and

(b) stating the reasons why the Minister is considering revoking the body’s approval; and

(c) inviting the body to make written submissions to the Minister within 28 days concerning why the approval should not be revoked.

(2) In deciding whether or not to revoke a body’s approval under Subdivision 22‑B, the Minister must consider any submissions received from the body within the 28 day period.

(3) The Minister must notify the body in writing of his or her decision whether to revoke the body’s approval under Subdivision 22‑B. The notice:

(a) must be in writing; and

(b) must be given within the period of 28 days following the period in which submissions may have been given to the Minister under subsection (1); and

(4) If no notice is given within the period provided for in subsection (3), the Minister is taken to have decided not to revoke the approval.

(5) If the Minister decides to revoke the body’s approval:

(a) the revocation takes effect on the day specified in the notice under subsection (3); and

(b) a copy of the notice must be published in the Gazette.

22‑25 Determination retaining approval as a provider in respect of existing students

(1) The Minister may determine, in writing, that a revocation of a body’s approval as a higher education provider under Subdivision 22‑B is of no effect for the purposes of:

(a) grants to the body under this Chapter; and

(b) assistance payable to the body’s students under Chapter 3;

to the extent that the grants or assistance relate to students of the body who have not completed the *courses of study in which they were enrolled with the body on the day specified for the purposes of paragraph 22‑20(5)(a).

(2) The determination may be included in the notice of revocation under subsection 22‑20(3).

(3) The body is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to continue to be a higher education provider, but only to the extent referred to in subsection (1).

(4) Subsection (3) does not prevent the Minister subsequently revoking the body’s approval as a higher education provider under this Division.

22‑30 Suspension of approval as a provider

(1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that, with effect from a specified day, a body’s approval as a higher education provider is suspended pending the making of a decision under Subdivision 22‑B as to whether to revoke the body’s approval as a provider.

(2) A copy of the determination must be given to the body concerned.

(3) If the Minister makes a determination under subsection (1) in respect of a body, the Minister must give to the body a notice under section 22‑20 within 48 hours after giving a copy of the determination to the body.

(4) A determination under this section:

(a) takes effect accordingly on the day specified in the determination; and

(b) ceases to have effect if the Minister decides not to revoke the body’s approval as a higher education provider.

22‑32 Determination retaining approval as a provider in respect of existing students following suspension of approval

(1) The Minister may determine, in writing, that a suspension of a body’s approval as a higher education provider under section 22‑30 is of no effect for the purposes of:

(a) grants to the body under this Chapter; and

(b) assistance payable to the body’s students under Chapter 3;

(2) A copy of the determination must be given to the body concerned.

(3) The body is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to continue to be a higher education provider, but only to the extent referred to in subsection (1).

(4) Subsection (3) does not prevent the Minister subsequently revoking the body’s approval as a higher education provider under this Division.

(5) A determination made under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

22‑35 Revocations are legislative instruments

(1) A notice of revocation under subsection 22‑20(3) is a legislative instrument.

(2) A decision of the Minister to revoke the approval of a higher education provider takes effect at the later of the following times:

(a) on the day immediately after the last day on which a resolution referred to in subsection 42(1) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 disallowing the notice could be passed;

(b) the day specified in the notice of revocation under subsection 22‑20(3) as the day on which the revocation takes effect.

Subdivision 22‑D—Revocation of approval on application

22‑40 Revocation of approval as a provider on application

(1) The Minister may revoke the approval of a body as a higher education provider if the body requests the Minister in writing to revoke the approval.

(2) The request must be given to the Minister at least 30 days before the day on which the revocation is requested to have effect.

(3) The Minister must cause the body to be notified of the revocation. The notice must:

(a) be in writing; and

(b) be given to the body at least 14 days before the day on which the revocation is to take effect.

(3A) A notice of revocation under subsection (3) is a legislative instrument.

(4) The revocation has effect on the day requested unless another day is specified in the notice under subsection (3).

Subdivision 22‑E—Notice of approval ceasing to have effect under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003

22‑45 Notice of approval ceasing to have effect under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003

(1) This section applies if:

(a) a decision of the Minister to approve a body corporate as a higher education provider has taken effect; and

(b) the body ceases to be approved as a higher education provider because the notice of the approval ceases to have effect under Part 5 (Parliamentary scrutiny of legislative instruments) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

(2) The fact that the body ceases to be approved as a higher education provider does not:

(a) affect:

(i) the operation of this Act, or any instrument made under this Act, in relation to the body before the cessation; or

(ii) anything duly done or suffered in relation to the body before the cessation; or

(b) affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred before the cessation; or

(c) affect any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of the body having been a higher education provider; or

(d) affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment.

Any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced, and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed, as if the body had not ceased to be approved as a higher education provider.

Part 2‑2—Commonwealth Grant Scheme

Division 27—Introduction

27‑1 What this Part is about

Grants are payable under this Part to higher education providers that meet certain requirements. Amounts of grants are based largely on the number of Commonwealth supported places that the Minister allocates to each provider.

Grants are subject to several conditions relating to the provision of Commonwealth supported places and other matters.

Amounts of grants may be reduced, or some or all of a grant may be repayable if a condition is breached (see Part 2‑5).

Note: This Part does not apply to Table C providers: see section 5‑1.

27‑5 Guidelines

(1) The grants payable under this Part are also dealt with in the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines and the Tuition Fee Guidelines.

(2) The provisions of this Part indicate:

(a) when a particular matter is, or may be, dealt with in the guidelines; and

(b) whether the matter is dealt with in the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines or the Tuition Fee Guidelines.

Note 1: The Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines and the Tuition Fee Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Note 2: The Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines may also deal with matters arising under section 93‑10.

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

Subdivision 30‑A—Basic rules

30‑1 Eligibility for grants

(1) A grant under this Part is payable, as a benefit to students, to a higher education provider, in respect of the year 2005 or a later year, if:

(a) the provider is:

(i) a *Table A provider; or

(ii) a higher education provider specified in the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines as a higher education provider that can be paid grants under this Part; and

(b) the Minister has allocated a *number of Commonwealth supported places to the provider for that year under section 30‑10; and

(c) the provider has entered into a funding agreement with the Commonwealth under section 30‑25 in respect of a period that includes that year.

(2) However, a grant is payable to a higher education provider that is not a *Table A provider only if the grant relates only to *national priorities.

30‑5 Maximum grants

(1) The Minister must ensure that the total amounts of all grants payable under this Part in respect of a year, as a result of all the allocations to higher education providers for that year under section 30‑10, does not exceed:

(a) for the year 2005—$3,066,956,000; or

(b) for the year 2006—$3,266,479,000; or

(d) for the year 2008—$3,793,766,000; or

(e) for the year 2009—$4,138,233,000; or

(f) for the year 2010—$4,833,034,000; or

(g) for the year 2011—$5,011,996,000.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), regard must be had to any adjustments under Subdivision 33‑C to amounts for the year.

Note: The adjustments would be in respect of the preceding year.

Subdivision 30‑B—Allocation of places

30‑10 Allocation of places

(1) Before the commencement of a year, the Minister may allocate a specified *number of Commonwealth supported places to a higher education provider for that year.

(2) The allocation must specify the distribution of those places between the *funding clusters.

(2A) If the provider has indicated to the Minister its preferred distribution of those places, the Minister must have regard to that preferred distribution in deciding the distribution of those places.

(3) The allocation may also specify:

(a) the number of those places that have a regional loading; and

(b) the number of those places that have a medical student loading; and

(d) the number of those places that have a transitional loading.

(4) If the provider is not a *Table A provider, the allocation must specify:

(a) that it is only in respect of *national priorities; and

(b) the number of places for each national priority for which the provider is allocated places.

30‑15 Funding clusters

The funding clusters are:

Funding clusters
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce
Humanities
Mathematics, Statistics, Behavioural Science, Social Studies, Computing, Built Environment, Other Health
Education
Clinical Psychology, Allied Health, Foreign Languages, Visual and Performing Arts
Nursing
Engineering, Science, Surveying
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Agriculture

30‑20 National priorities

A national priority is a particular outcome:

(a) that relates to the provision of higher education; and

(b) that is an outcome specified in the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines as a national priority.

Note: The following are examples of national priorities:

(a) increasing the number of persons undertaking particular courses of study;

(b) increasing the number of particular kinds of persons undertaking courses of study;

Subdivision 30‑C—Funding agreements

30‑25 Funding agreements

(1) The Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, enter into a funding agreement with a higher education provider relating to grants under this Part in respect of each year in a period of 3 years (the grant years).

(1A) In negotiating the agreement the Minister must have regard to all of the types of matters that the provider has indicated to the Minister it wishes to be specified in the agreement.

(2) The agreement may specify conditions to which the grants are subject, that are additional to the conditions that apply under Division 36.

Note: It is a condition of the grants that the provider comply with the agreement: see section 36‑65.

(2A) However, the agreement must not specify as a condition to which the grants are subject a matter in respect of which the Minister could have made a determination under subsection 36‑15(2) (or could have made such a determination but for subsection 36‑15(3)).

Note: The Minister has the power under subsection 36‑15(2) to determine that students are not to be enrolled as Commonwealth supported students in particular courses. The determination is disallowable (see subsection 36‑15(3)).

(2B) Where the agreement specifies conditions to which the grants are subject, that are additional to the conditions that apply under Division 36, those conditions must not relate to industrial relations matters.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the agreement may specify:

(a) in relation to one or more of the following:

(i) places in *undergraduate courses of study;

(ii) places in non‑research *postgraduate courses of study;

(iii) places in courses of study in medical programs;

(iv) places in courses of study in *enabling courses;

the minimum *number of Commonwealth supported places that the provider must provide in the grant year or grant years, or the maximum number of Commonwealth supported places that the provider may provide in the grant year or grant years, or both; and

(b) the maximum number of Commonwealth supported places provided by the provider which can have a regional loading in the grant years; and

(c) the maximum number of Commonwealth supported places provided by the provider which can have a medical student loading in the grant years; and

(ca) the maximum number of Commonwealth supported places provided by the provider which can have an enabling loading in the grant years; and

(cb) the maximum number of Commonwealth supported places provided by the provider which can have a transitional loading in the grant years; and

(d) the maximum amount of regional loading that will be payable to the provider, under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines, in the grant years; and

(da) the maximum amount of enabling loading that will be payable to the provider, under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines, in the grant years; and

(e) the maximum amount of transitional loading that will be payable to the provider, under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines, in the grant years; and

(g) adjustments that will apply to the amount of a grant payable to the provider under this Part if the provider breaches a condition of the grant.

(4) The Minister must cause a copy of the agreement to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the making of the agreement.

Division 33—How are grant amounts worked out?

Subdivision 33‑A—Basic rule

33‑1 How grant amount is worked out

(1) The amount of a grant payable to a higher education provider under this Part for a year is worked out by:

(a) working out the *basic grant amount for the provider for that year under Subdivision 33‑B; and

(b) if applicable, adjusting the basic grant amount under Subdivision 33‑C; and

(c) if applicable, and if the year is 2011 or a later year—adding the performance funding grant amount for the provider for that year.

(1A) In subsection (1):

performance funding grant amount for a higher education provider for a year is the amount (if any) worked out under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines.

(2) Advances may be paid to a higher education provider under Subdivision 33‑D.

Note: Part 5‑1 deals with how payments can be made.

Subdivision 33‑B—Basic grant amounts

33‑5 Basic grant amounts

The basic grant amount for a higher education provider for a year is the sum of:

(a) for each *funding cluster to which the Minister has allocated places to the provider under section 30‑10—the amount worked out by multiplying:

(i) the *number of Commonwealth supported places allocated in relation to that funding cluster; by

(ii) the *Commonwealth contribution amount for a place in that funding cluster; and

(b) if the allocation has specified under paragraph 30‑10(3)(a) a number of Commonwealth supported places that have a regional loading—the amount of regional loading worked out under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines for those places; and

(c) if the allocation has specified under paragraph 30‑10(3)(b) a number of Commonwealth supported places that have a medical student loading—the amount of medical student loading worked out under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines for those places; and

(d) if the allocation has specified under paragraph 30‑10(3)(c) a number of Commonwealth supported places that have an enabling loading—the amount of enabling loading worked out under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines for those places; and

(e) if the allocation has specified under paragraph 30‑10(3)(d) a number of Commonwealth supported places that have a transitional loading—the amount of transitional loading worked out under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines for those places.

33‑10 Commonwealth contribution amounts

The Commonwealth contribution amount, for a place in a *funding cluster, is:

Commonwealth contribution amount
Item	Funding cluster	Commonwealth contribution amount
1	Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce	$1,765
2	Humanities	$4,901
3	Mathematics, Statistics, Behavioural Science, Social Studies, Computing, Built Environment, Other Health	$8,670
4	Education	$9,020
5	Clinical Psychology, Allied Health, Foreign Languages, Visual and Performing Arts	$10,662
6	Nursing	$11,903
7	Engineering, Science, Surveying	$15,156
8	Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Agriculture	$19,235

Note: Commonwealth contribution amounts are indexed under Part 5‑6.

Subdivision 33‑C—Adjustments

33‑25 Adjustments

Corrected basic amount is less than the basic grant amount (Table A and B providers)

(1) The *basic grant amount for a *Table A provider or a *Table B provider for a year is reduced by an adjustment if the provider’s *corrected basic amount for the preceding year was less than 99% of the provider’s basic grant amount for that year.

(2) The adjustment under subsection (1) is the lower of the following amounts:

(a) an amount equal to the difference between:

(i) 99% of the basic grant amount; and

(ii) the *corrected basic amount;

(b) 4% of the basic grant amount.

Corrected basic amount is less than the basic grant amount (non‑Table A and B providers)

(3) The *basic grant amount for a higher education provider that is not a *Table A provider or a *Table B provider is reduced by an adjustment if the provider’s *corrected basic amount for the preceding year was less than the provider’s basic grant amount for that year.

(4) The adjustment under subsection (3) is an amount equal to the difference between:

(a) the basic grant amount; and

(b) the *corrected basic amount.

Meaning of corrected basic amount

(5) The provider’s corrected basic amount for a year is what would have been the provider’s *basic grant amount for the year if:

(a) the *number of Commonwealth supported places allocated to the provider for that year under section 30‑10 had equalled the number of Commonwealth supported places provided by the provider during that year; and

(b) the places allocated had been distributed under subsection 30‑10(2) between the *funding clusters in a way that reflected:

(i) the units of study in which *Commonwealth supported students were enrolled with the provider during that year; and

(ii) the funding clusters in which those units are included.

Corrected basic amount is more than the basic grant amount (Table A and B providers)

(6) The *basic grant amount for a year for a *Table A provider or a *Table B provider is increased by an adjustment if the provider’s *corrected basic amount for the preceding year was more than the provider’s basic grant amount for the year.

(7) The adjustment under subsection (6) is the lower of the following amounts:

(a) an amount equal to the difference between:

(i) the *corrected basic amount; and

(ii) the *basic grant amount;

(b) 10% of the basic grant amount.

33‑30 Working out the number of Commonwealth supported places provided

(1) The number of Commonwealth supported places that a higher education provider has provided during a particular year is a number equal to the number worked out as follows:

Method statement

Step 1. For each unit of study (other than a unit of study that wholly consists of *work experience in industry) that the provider provided that had its *census date during the year, multiply:

(a) the *EFTSL value of the unit; by

(b) the number of persons enrolled with the provider in that unit as *Commonwealth supported students.

Step 2. Add together all of the amounts worked out under step 1.

(2) For the purposes of this section, if:

(a) a unit of study provided by the provider forms part of more than one *course of study; and

(b) the provider determines under subsection 73‑15(2) an *EFTSL value of the unit for each such course;

the unit is taken to be a different unit of study in respect of each such course.

33‑35 Funding clusters in which units of study are included

The Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines may specify:

(a) how to determine, for the purposes of this Act, the *funding clusters in which units of study are included; or

(b) the particular funding cluster in which a particular unit of study is included for the purposes of this Act.

33‑37 Adjustments for breach of section 19‑37

(1) A higher education provider’s *basic grant amount for the grant year is reduced by an adjustment in respect of the grant year if, on one or more occasions during the grant year, the provider breaches a condition imposed under section 19‑37.

(2) The adjustment under subsection (1) is an amount worked out using the formula:

where:

reduction amount is $100.

Note: The reduction amount is indexed under Part 5‑6.

total places allocated is the total number of Commonwealth supported places allocated under section 30‑10 to the higher education provider for the grant year.

(3) This section does not apply in relation to a breach of a condition imposed under section 19‑37 by a higher education provider if:

(a) the breach consists of requiring a person to pay money to the provider or another entity; and

(b) as a result of the requirement, the person paid money to the provider or other entity; and

(d) the provider or other entity repays the money to the person within 28 days after the Minister gave the notice to the provider.

(4) If the Minister becomes aware that:

(a) a higher education provider has breached a condition imposed under section 19‑37; and

(b) the breach consists of requiring a person to pay money to the provider or another entity;

the Minister must give to the provider a written notice:

(c) requiring repayment, within 28 days after the notice is given, of any money paid to the provider or any other entity as a result of the requirement; and

(d) stating that failure to repay any such money within that period will result in a reduction under this section of the provider’s *basic grant amount for the grant year in question.

The notice may relate to more than one breach.

(5) A failure by the Minister to give a notice under subsection (4) in relation to a breach of a condition imposed under section 19‑37 does not prevent this section from applying in relation to the breach.

(6) This section does not apply more than once in relation to a higher education provider’s *basic grant amount for a grant year.

Subdivision 33‑D—Special purpose advances

33‑40 Advances for certain purposes

(1) The Minister may determine that an advance is payable to a higher education provider, in respect of a year, in relation to expenditure of the provider for such purposes as the Minister determines.

(2) The Minister may pay an advance to the provider under subsection (1) on such conditions (if any) as the Minister determines.

(3) The total of the advances in respect of a year must not exceed the amount set out in section 30‑5 in respect of the following year.

(4) If the Minister determines an advance for the provider in respect of a year, the amounts of grant payable to the provider under section 33‑1 in respect of:

(a) the year next following that year; or

(b) the 2 years next following that year; or

are reduced by amounts that equal in total the amount of the advance.

(5) Determinations under subsections (1) and (2), and reductions under subsection (4), must be made in accordance with Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines.

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

Subdivision 36‑A—General

36‑1 Condition of grant to comply with this Division

(1) A higher education provider receives a grant under this Part on condition that the provider complies with this Division.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the following provisions of this Division do not of their own force require the provider to do any act or thing.

Subdivision 36‑B—Conditions relating to Commonwealth supported students

36‑5 Meaning of Commonwealth supported student

(1) A person is a Commonwealth supported student, in relation to a unit of study, if:

(a) the higher education provider with which he or she is enrolled in that unit has advised the person in writing that he or she is a Commonwealth supported student:

(i) in relation to the unit; or

(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) at the end of the *census date for the unit, the higher education provider would not have been prohibited, under section 36‑10 or 36‑15, or both, from so advising the person.

(3) However, the person is not a Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit if he or she notifies an *appropriate officer of the provider that he or she does not wish to be a Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit.

(4) A notice under subsection (3):

(a) must be in writing; and

(b) must be given on or before the *census date for the unit.

36‑10 Advice on whether a person is a Commonwealth supported student

When a provider must not advise that a person is Commonwealth supported

(1) A higher education provider must not advise a person that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study unless:

(a) a *number of Commonwealth supported places has been allocated to the provider under section 30‑10 for the year in which the person is undertaking the unit; and

(b) the unit contributes to the requirements of a *course of study in which the person is enrolled with that provider or another higher education provider; and

(c) the person meets the citizenship or residency requirements for the purposes of this paragraph (see subsections (2) and (2A)); and

(d) the unit:

(i) is *covered by the person’s *Student Learning Entitlement; or

(ii) wholly consists of *work experience in industry; or

(iii) is undertaken as part of an *enabling course; and

(e) the person:

(i) enrolled in the unit on or before the *census date for the unit; and

(ii) at the end of the census date, remained so enrolled.

(2) A person meets the citizenship or residency requirements for the purposes of paragraph (1)(c) if the person is:

(a) an Australian citizen; or

(b) a citizen of New Zealand who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit; or

(2A) In determining, for the purposes of subparagraph (2)(b) or (c), whether a person will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit of study, disregard any period of residence outside Australia if:

(a) it cannot reasonably be regarded as indicating an intention to reside outside Australia for the duration of the unit; or

(b) it is required for the purpose of completing a requirement of that unit.

(2B) Despite subsections (2) and (2A), a person does not meet the citizenship or residency requirements under paragraph (2)(b) or (c), if the higher education provider reasonably expects that he or she will not undertake in Australia any units of study contributing to the *course of study of which the unit forms a part.

Persons who do not wish to be Commonwealth supported

(3) A higher education provider must not advise a person that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study if the person has notified an *appropriate officer of the provider that he or she does not wish to be a Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit.

(4) A notice under subsection (3):

(a) must be in writing; and

(b) must be given on or before the *census date for the unit.

Additional requirement for non‑Table A providers

(5) A higher education provider that is not a *Table A provider must not advise a person that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study unless:

(a) the unit in which the person is enrolled is within a *national priority; and

(b) the provider has received a grant under this Part for that national priority for the year in which the person is undertaking the unit; and

(c) if the national priority is a *course of study that has been specified in the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines to be a national priority—the unit is contributing to the requirements of that course.

Additional requirement relating to work experience in industry

(6) A higher education provider must not advise a person that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study that wholly consists of *work experience in industry unless:

(a) the unit forms part of a *course of study; and

(b) the person is enrolled, or has previously been enrolled, in another unit of study in that course:

(i) that does not, or did not, wholly consist of work experience in industry; and

(ii) in relation to which the person is, or was, a Commonwealth supported student.

Units of study at full fee summer or winter schools

(7) A higher education provider must not advise a person that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study if:

(a) the person undertakes the unit wholly during a summer school period (the current summer school period) or a winter school period (the current winter school period); and

(b) the provider has determined that this subsection applies to the unit.

(8) A higher education provider may determine that subsection (7) applies to a unit of study only if each person who could undertake the unit during the current summer school period or current winter school period could undertake, or could have undertaken, the unit during a period other than a summer school period or winter school period as part of a *course of study undertaken by the person with the higher education provider.

(9) The higher education provider must make the determination:

(a) before the start of the current summer school period, if the determination relates to a unit undertaken during a summer school period; or

(b) before the start of the current winter school period, if the determination relates to a unit undertaken during a winter school period.

(10) In this section:

summer school period means a period that starts on or after 1 November in a year and ends after 1 January, but before 1 March, in the following year.

winter school period means a period that starts on or after 1 June in a year and ends on or before 31 August in that year.

36‑15 Persons not to be advised they are Commonwealth supported

(1) A higher education provider must not advise a person enrolled in a unit of study with the provider that the person is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit if:

(a) the enrolment is in an *employer reserved place; or

(b) the unit forms part of a *bridging course for overseas‑trained professionals; or

(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that:

(a) a specified *course of study is not one in respect of which students, or students of a specified kind, may be enrolled in units of study as *Commonwealth supported students; or

(b) a *course of study of a specified type is not one in respect of which students, or students of a specified kind, may be enrolled in units of study as *Commonwealth supported students.

(3) In deciding whether to make a determination under subsection (2), the Minister must have regard to the effect of the determination on students undertaking the course, or a course of that type.

(4) A determination of the Minister under subsection (2) must not be made later than 6 months before the day that students are able next to commence the specified course, or a course of that type, with the provider.

36‑20 Providers to repay amounts if Student Learning Entitlement is re‑credited

(1) If a person’s *Student Learning Entitlement, in relation to a unit of study in which the person was enrolled with a higher education provider as a *Commonwealth supported student, has been re‑credited under Division 79, the provider must:

(a) pay to the person an amount equal to the payment, or the sum of the payments, that the person made in relation to his or her *student contribution amount for the unit; and

(b) pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to any *HECS‑HELP assistance to which the person was entitled for the unit.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the provider if:

(a) the person’s *Student Learning Entitlement was re‑credited under section 79‑1 (main case of re‑crediting a person’s SLE); and

(b) the person enrolled in the unit in circumstances that make it a replacement unit within the meaning of the *tuition assurance requirements.

(3) The Higher Education Provider Guidelines may, in setting out the tuition assurance requirements, specify, in relation to the re‑crediting of a person’s *Student Learning Entitlement in circumstances to which subsection (2) applies:

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

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

36‑22 Providers to repay amounts etc. for units wholly consisting of work experience in industry—special circumstances

(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, determine that this section applies to a person if:

(a) the person has been enrolled as a *Commonwealth supported student with the provider in a unit of study; and

(aa) the unit would, if completed, form part of a *course of study undertaken with that provider or another higher education provider; and

(b) the unit wholly consists of *work experience in industry; 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

(d) the provider with which the person is enrolled in the unit is satisfied that special circumstances apply to the person (see subsection (3)); and

(e) the person applies in writing to that provider for either or both:

(i) the repayment of any amounts that the person paid in relation to his or her *student contribution amount for the unit; or

(ii) the remission of the person’s *HECS‑HELP debt in relation to the unit; and

(f) either:

(i) the application is made before the end of the application period under subsection (5) or (6); or

(ii) the provider waives the requirement that the application be made before the end of that period, on the ground that it would not be, or was not, possible for the application to be made before the end of that period.

Note: A HECS‑HELP debt of a person to whom this section applies is remitted under subsection 137‑5(5).

(2) The provider must:

(a) pay to the person an amount equal to the payment, or the sum of the payments, that the person made in relation to his or her *student contribution amount for the unit; and

(b) pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to any *HECS‑HELP assistance to which the person was entitled for the unit.

(2A) Subsection (2) does not apply to the provider if the person enrolled in the unit in circumstances that make it a replacement unit within the meaning of the *tuition assurance requirements.

(2B) The Higher Education Provider Guidelines may, in setting out the tuition assurance requirements, specify, in relation to circumstances to which subsection (2A) applies:

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

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

Special circumstances

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), special circumstances apply to the person if and only if the higher education provider receiving the application is satisfied that circumstances apply to the person that:

(a) are beyond the person’s control; and

(b) do not make their full impact on the person until on or after the *census date for the unit; and

(c) make it impracticable for the person to complete the requirements for the unit during the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.

Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines may specify circumstances

(4) If the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines specify circumstances in which a higher education provider will be satisfied of a matter referred to in paragraph 79‑5(1)(a), (b) or (c), any decision of a higher education provider under subsection (3) of this section must be in accordance with any such guidelines.

Note: The matters referred to in paragraphs 79‑5(1)(a), (b) and (c) (which relate to the re‑crediting of Student Learning Entitlement) are identical to the matters referred to in paragraphs (3)(a), (b) and (c) of this section.

Application period where enrolment withdrawn

(5) If:

(a) the person applying under paragraph (1)(e) has withdrawn his or her enrolment in the unit; and

(b) the higher education provider gives notice to the person that the withdrawal has taken effect;

the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the day specified in the notice as the day the withdrawal takes effect.

Application period in other cases

(6) If subsection (5) does not apply, the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the end of the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.

Dealing with applications

(7) If:

(a) the application is made before the end of the application period under subsection (5) or (6); or

(b) the higher education provider waives the requirement that the application be made before the end of that period, on the ground that it would not be, or was not, possible for the application to be made before the end of that period;

the provider must, as soon as practicable, consider the matter to which the application relates and notify the applicant of the decision on the application.

Statement of reasons

(8) The notice must include a statement of the reasons for the decision.

Note: Refusals of applications are reviewable under Part 5‑7.

Secretary may act if provider is unable to

(9) If the provider is unable to act for one or more of the purposes of subsection (1), or subsection (3), (5) or (7), the *Secretary may act as if one or more of the references in those subsections to the provider were a reference to the Secretary.

36‑22A Providers to repay amounts etc. for units wholly consisting of work experience in industry—provider ceases to provide course

(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, determine that this section applies to a person if:

(a) the person has been enrolled as a *Commonwealth supported student with the provider in a unit of study; and

(b) the unit would, if completed, form part of a *course of study undertaken with the provider; and

(d) 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 the unit as a result of ceasing to provide the course of which the unit formed part; and

(e) the *tuition assurance requirements applied to the provider at the time the provider ceased to provide the unit; and

(f) the person chose the option designated under the *tuition assurance requirements as student contribution/fee repayment in relation to the unit.

Note: A HECS‑HELP debt of a person to whom this section applies is remitted under subsection 137‑5(5).

(2) The provider must:

(a) pay to the person an amount equal to the payment, or the sum of the payments, that the person made in relation to his or her *student contribution amount for the unit; and

(b) pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to any *HECS‑HELP assistance to which the person was entitled for the unit.

(3) The *Secretary may determine that this section applies to a person if the provider is unable to do so.

36‑23 Providers to repay amounts etc. for units wholly consisting of work experience in industry—no tax file numbers

(1) This section applies to a person if:

(a) a higher education provider cancels the person’s enrolment in a unit of study under subsection 193‑5(1); and

(b) the unit wholly consists of *work experience in industry.

Note: A HECS‑HELP debt of a person to whom this section applies is remitted under subsection 137‑5(5).

(2) The provider must:

(a) pay to the person an amount equal to the payment, or the sum of the payments, that the person made in relation to his or her *student contribution amount for the unit; and

(b) pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to any *HECS‑HELP assistance to which the person was entitled for the unit.

Subdivision 36‑C—Conditions relating to enrolment

36‑25 Continued support for Commonwealth supported students

(1) A higher education provider must advise a person who is enrolled in a unit of study with the provider, as part of a *course of study being undertaken with the provider, that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit if:

(a) the person is or has been a Commonwealth supported student in relation to one or more other units of study, undertaken with the provider, as part of the course; and

(b) the provider is not prohibited, under section 36‑10 or section 36‑15, or both, from so advising the person.

(2) A *Table A provider (the host provider) must advise a person who is enrolled in a unit of study with the provider, as part of a *course of study being undertaken with another Table A provider (the home provider), that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit if:

(a) the person is or has been a Commonwealth supported student in relation to one or more other units of study in the course undertaken with the home provider; and

(b) the person must undertake the unit, because it is required to complete the course; and

(3) If a higher education provider has, under subparagraph 36‑5(1)(a)(ii), advised a person that he or she is a Commonwealth supported student in relation to a *course of study with the provider, then the higher education provider is taken to have advised the person that he or she is a Commonwealth supported student in relation to each unit of study undertaken with the provider, as part of that course.

36‑30 Providers to enrol persons as Commonwealth supported students

Table A providers

(1) If:

(a) a person is to be enrolled with a *Table A provider in a unit of study that is *covered by the person’s *Student Learning Entitlement; and

(aa) the unit to be undertaken with the provider forms part of an *undergraduate course of study; and

(b) the provider is not prohibited, under section 36‑10 or section 36‑15, or both, from advising the person that he or she is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit;

the provider must enrol the person in the unit as a Commonwealth supported student.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a person’s enrolment with a *Table A provider in a unit of study that forms part of an *undergraduate course of study if:

(a) the person commences the undergraduate course of study with the provider before 1 January 2009; or

(b) both:

(i) the person transfers to the undergraduate course of study with the provider on or after 1 January 2009 from another undergraduate course of study in which the person was enrolled with the provider before 1 January 2009; and

(ii) the person had not completed that other undergraduate course of study; or

(i) the person was offered, and accepted, a place (other than a Commonwealth supported place) in the undergraduate course of study with the provider before 1 January 2009;

(ii) the undergraduate course of study was to commence before 1 January 2009;

(iii) with the provider’s approval, the person commences the course of study after that time; or

(d) at the time the person commences the undergraduate course of study with the provider, the person is an *overseas student.

Other higher education providers

(3) If a person is to be enrolled, with a higher education provider that is not a *Table A provider, in a unit of study that is *covered by a person’s *Student Learning Entitlement, the provider must enrol the person in the unit as a *Commonwealth supported student if:

(a) completion of the unit is in furtherance of a *national priority; and

(b) places have been allocated to the provider under section 30‑10 in respect of that national priority for the year in which the person is enrolled in the unit.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply, and is taken never to have applied, in relation to that enrolment if:

(a) in respect of the year in which the person is enrolled in the unit, the provider has already filled, or fills, all of the *number of Commonwealth supported places in respect of that *national priority; or

(b) the person notifies an *appropriate officer of the provider that he or she does not wish to be a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit.

Notices under paragraph (4)(b)

(5) A notice under paragraph (4)(b):

(a) must be in writing; and

(b) must be given on or before the *census date for the unit.

36‑32 Commonwealth supported study at a particular campus

Nothing in sections 36‑25 or 36‑30 requires a higher education provider to advise a person that he or she is a Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study undertaken at a particular campus of the provider.

36‑40 Providers to cancel enrolments in certain circumstances

(1) A higher education provider must cancel a person’s enrolment in a unit of study with the provider if the person:

(a) is enrolled as a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit; and

(b) has not, on or before the *census date for the unit:

(i) completed, and signed, a *request for Commonwealth assistance 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

(ii) given it to an *appropriate officer of the provider.

(2) A higher education provider must cancel a person’s enrolment in a unit of study with the provider if the person:

(a) is enrolled as a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit; and

(b) is not entitled to *HECS‑HELP assistance for the unit; and

(c) has not, on or before the *census date for the unit, paid to the provider the whole of the person’s *student contribution amount for the unit.

However, this subsection does not apply if the person’s student contribution amount for the unit is a nil amount.

(3) A request for Commonwealth assistance, in relation to a person enrolling in a unit of study with a higher education provider (where access to the unit was not provided by *Open Universities Australia), means a document:

(a) 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

(b) that is in the form approved by the Minister.

Subdivision 36‑D—Conditions relating to student contribution amounts

36‑45 Limits on student contribution amounts

If a person 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 *student contribution amount for the unit, an amount that exceeds the amount worked out as follows:

36‑50 Provider must not accept up‑front payments of more than 80% of student contribution amounts

A higher education provider must not accept, from a person who:

(a) is enrolled in a unit of study with the provider; and

(b) is entitled to *HECS‑HELP assistance for the unit;

*up‑front payments for the unit totalling more than 80% of the person’s *student contribution amount for the unit.

Note: For entitlement to HECS‑HELP assistance: see Division 90.

Subdivision 36‑E—Conditions relating to tuition fees

36‑55 Tuition fees for non‑Commonwealth supported students

Tuition fees for units of study

(1) A higher education provider must not determine, as a person’s *tuition fee for a unit of study, an amount that is less than:

(a) if paragraph (b) does not apply—the highest *student contribution amount that the provider would charge any person who is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit; or

(b) such other higher amount as is specified in the Tuition Fee Guidelines.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person is enrolled in an *employer reserved place. However, the provider must not charge, as the person’s *tuition fees for the unit, amounts that are such that the sum of:

(a) the tuition fees; and

(b) the *employer contribution amount for the unit;

is less than:

(d) such amount as is specified in the Tuition Fee Guidelines for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b).

(3) If a person:

(a) is enrolled in study with a higher education provider on a *non‑award basis; and

(b) could have enrolled in that study as a unit of study if the enrolment were not on a non‑award basis;

the provider must not charge, as the person’s *fees for the study, amounts that in total are less than the highest amount that the provider would charge any person:

(d) who is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit.

Subdivision 36‑F—Other conditions

36‑60 Providers to meet the quality and accountability requirements

A higher education provider must meet the *quality and accountability requirements.

36‑65 Providers to comply with funding agreement

A higher education provider must comply with any funding agreement the provider enters into under section 30‑25.

36‑70 Providers to comply with the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines

(1) The Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines may specify conditions that higher education providers must comply with for the purposes of this Division.

(2) A higher education provider must comply with all such conditions in respect of any year for which the provider receives a grant under this Part.

(3) However, the provider need not comply with such a condition during a particular year if the condition comes into force on or after the day on which the provider entered into a funding agreement under section 30‑25 in respect of a period that includes that year.

Part 2‑3—Other grants

Division 41—Other grants

41‑1 What this Part is about

Grants under this Part are payable to higher education providers and other eligible bodies for a variety of purposes.

Note: This Part does not apply to Table C providers: see section 5‑1.

41‑5 The Other Grants Guidelines

Other grants are also dealt with in the Other Grants Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The Other Grants Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

41‑10 Eligibility for grants under this Part

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a body corporate referred to in an item in the third column of the table is eligible for grants under this Part, in respect of the year 2005 or a later year, for the purposes specified in the second column of that item.

Eligibility for grants under this Part
Item	Purpose of grant	Who is eligible
1	Grants to promote equality of opportunity in higher education	*Table A providers
2	Grants to promote the productivity of higher education providers	*Table A providers
4	Grants to support national institutes specified in the Other Grants Guidelines for the purposes of this item	*Table A providers
5	Grants to support the capital development projects of higher education providers	Table A providers and Table B providers
6	Grants to assist with the cost of higher education providers’ superannuation liabilities	*Table A providers
7	Grants to support research by, and the research capability of, higher education providers	Table A providers and Table B providers
8	Grants to support the training of research students	Table A providers and Table B providers
9	Grants to foster collaboration and reform in higher education	*Table A providers and bodies corporate that are specified in the Other Grants Guidelines for the purposes of this item
9A	Grants to support diversity and structural reform	Table A providers, Table B providers that are universities, and bodies corporate that are specified in the Other Grants Guidelines for the purposes of this item
9B	Grants to support structural adjustment	Table A providers and Table B providers that are universities
10	Grants to support the development of systemic infrastructure used by higher education providers	*Table A providers and bodies corporate that are specified in the Other Grants Guidelines for the purposes of this item
11	Grants for activities that: (a) assure and enhance the quality of Australia’s higher education sector; or (b) foster an understanding of the importance of, or promote research and scholarship in, science, social science or the humanities in Australia; or (c) support open access to higher education across Australia.	*Table A providers and bodies corporate that are specified in the Other Grants Guidelines for the purposes of this item
12	Grants to assist higher education providers with the transitional costs of changes to maximum student contribution amounts	Higher education providers to which Commonwealth‑supported places have been allocated for any year

(2) If the Other Grants Guidelines:

(a) specify a program under which grants for a particular purpose specified in the table are to be paid; and

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

then a body corporate specified in the table in respect of those grants is not eligible for such a grant unless it complies with those extra conditions.

41‑15 Grants may be paid under programs

(1) The Other Grants Guidelines may specify one or more programs under which grants for particular purposes specified in the table in subsection 41‑10(1) are to be paid.

(2) If the Other Grants Guidelines specify a program for a grant for a particular purpose, the guidelines may also specify all or any of the following matters for the program:

(a) the program’s objectives;

(b) the extra conditions of eligibility to receive a grant under the program;

(c) the amount, being a part of the amount referred to in section 41‑45 for a year, that will be spent on the program in that particular year;

(d) the indexation of that amount for subsequent years, using the method of indexation set out in Part 5‑6;

(e) the method by which the amount of grants under the program will be determined;

(f) whether grants under a program are in respect of a year or a project;

(g) the conditions that apply to grants under the program.

41‑20 Approval of grants

The Minister may approve a grant under this Part in respect of a year or a project to a body corporate that is eligible for such a grant.

41‑25 Conditions on grants

A grant is made on the following conditions:

(a) if the grant is made under a program and the Other Grants Guidelines specified conditions that apply to a grant under that program:

(i) on the conditions provided for in the guidelines; and

(ii) if the body receiving the grant is a higher education provider—also on the condition that the body must meet the *quality and accountability requirements; or

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply:

(i) on such conditions (if any) as the Minister determines in writing; and

(ii) if the body receiving the grant is a higher education provider—also on the condition that the body must meet the quality and accountability requirements.

41‑30 Amount of a grant

The amount of a grant is:

(a) if the grant is made under a program and the Other Grants Guidelines specify a method by which the amount of grants under the program are to be determined—the amount determined by that method; or

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply—the amount determined in writing by the Minister.

41‑35 Amounts payable under this Part

If:

(a) a body corporate meets, in respect of a year, the requirements of the Other Grants Guidelines made for the purposes of section 41‑15 in relation to a program; or

(b) the Minister approves, under section 41‑20, a grant to a body corporate in respect of a year or project;

there is payable to the body corporate concerned, in respect of that year or project, an amount equal to the amount referred to in section 41‑30 in respect of that grant.

41‑40 Rollover of grant amounts

(1) If:

(a) a body to which a grant under this Part has been made in respect of a year fails to spend an amount of that grant; and

(b) the *Secretary determines in writing that this section is to apply to the body in respect of that grant;

then so much of the unspent amount as the Secretary specifies is taken to be granted to the body under this Part in respect of the next following year.

(2) The amount is taken to be granted for the same purpose as the original grant.

(3) The grant is taken to be made:

(a) under the same conditions as the conditions of the original grant—except the grant is taken to be made in respect of the next following year; or

(b) under such other conditions as are determined by the *Secretary.

41‑45 Maximum payments for other grants under this Part

(1) The total payments made under this Part in respect of a year referred to in the table must not exceed the amount specified next to that year in the table.

Maximum payments for other grants under this Part
Item	Year	Amount
1	2005	$1,539,636,000
2	2006	$1,716,942,000
3	2007	$1,768,622,000
4	2008	$1,912,350,000
5	2009	$1,883,928,000
6	2010	$1,874,910,000
7	2011	$2,032,393,000
8	2012	$2,056,285,000
9	2013	$2,179,375,000
10	2014	$2,163,501,000

(2) Payments made in respect of a project in a year are taken, for the purposes of subsection (1) to have been made in respect of that year.

41‑50 List of maximum grant amounts

Before the start of a year, the Minister must, by legislative instrument, cause a list to be prepared setting out the maximum amounts of all grants which may be paid in the following year for each purpose of grant specified in the table in section 41‑10.

Part 2‑4—Commonwealth scholarships

Division 46—Commonwealth scholarships

46‑1 What this Part is about

Grants for scholarships are made to higher education providers who pay the scholarships to students for the purposes of the students’ education.

Certain scholarships may be paid directly to students.

Note: This Part does not apply to Table C providers: see section 5‑1.

46‑5 The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines

*Commonwealth scholarships are also dealt with in the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

46‑10 Classes of Commonwealth scholarships

There are 3 classes of *Commonwealth scholarships:

(a) directly‑paid standard scholarships; and

(aa) indirectly‑paid standard scholarships; and

(b) postgraduate research scholarships.

Note: The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines set out the kinds of scholarships in each class.

46‑13 Eligibility of students to receive directly‑paid standard Commonwealth scholarships

If:

(a) the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines provide for a particular kind of directly‑paid standard *Commonwealth scholarship; and

(b) those guidelines set out eligibility requirements for that kind of scholarship; and

(i) a *Table A provider; or

(ii) a higher education provider to which subparagraph 30‑1(1)(a)(ii) applies;

satisfies those eligibility requirements; and

(d) the student is selected by the provider to receive that kind of scholarship; and

(e) the selection is in accordance with a selection policy maintained by that provider; and

(f) the selection policy complies with the requirements set out in the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines;

the student is entitled to receive from the Commonwealth that kind of directly‑paid standard Commonwealth scholarship.

46‑15 Eligibility of higher education providers to receive grants for certain Commonwealth scholarships

(1) *Table A providers, and higher education providers to which subparagraph 30‑1(1)(a)(ii) applies, are eligible to receive a grant from the Commonwealth to pay, as a benefit to students, indirectly‑paid standard *Commonwealth scholarships to their students.

(2) *Table A providers and *Table B providers are eligible to receive a grant from the Commonwealth to pay, as a benefit to students, postgraduate research *Commonwealth scholarships to their students.

(3) A provider that is eligible to receive a grant under subsection (1) or (2) is an eligible scholarship provider.

46‑20 Other matters relating to Commonwealth scholarships

(1) The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines may provide for *Commonwealth scholarships.

Directly‑paid standard Commonwealth scholarships

(1A) Without limiting subsection (1), the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines may provide for the following matters in relation to directly‑paid standard *Commonwealth scholarships:

(a) the kinds of scholarships that are to be directly‑paid standard Commonwealth scholarships;

(b) the eligibility requirements for each kind of scholarship;

(d) the indexation of amounts of scholarships, using the method of indexation set out in Part 5‑6;

(e) how scholarships are to be paid;

(f) the conditions that apply to a particular kind of scholarship;

(g) the amount, being part of the amount referred to in section 46‑40 for a year, that will be spent on each kind of scholarship in that year;

(h) the indexation of such an amount for subsequent years, using the method of indexation set out in Part 5‑6;

(i) the maximum number of students that a particular higher education provider can select to receive a particular kind of scholarship for a particular year;

(j) requirements to be complied with by selection policies maintained by higher education providers;

(k) information that higher education providers are to give the Minister.

Other Commonwealth scholarships

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines may provide for the following matters in relation to indirectly‑paid standard *Commonwealth scholarships and postgraduate research Commonwealth scholarships:

(a) the kinds of scholarships that are to be indirectly‑paid standard Commonwealth scholarships;

(b) the kinds of scholarships that are to be postgraduate research Commonwealth scholarships;

(e) the conditions that apply to each kind of scholarship;

(f) how the amounts of grants to an *eligible scholarship provider are to be determined;

(g) the amount, being part of the amount referred to in section 46‑40 for a year, that will be spent on each kind of scholarship in that year;

(h) the indexation of such an amount for subsequent years, using the method of indexation set out in Part 5‑6;

(i) how grants to providers are to be made;

(j) how providers are to determine the amount of each scholarship;

(k) the indexation of amounts of scholarships, using the method of indexation set out in Part 5‑6;

(l) how providers are to pay scholarships;

(m) information that providers are to give the Minister or the Chief Executive Officer, or an *employee, of *Centrelink;

(n) information that providers are to give to:

(i) the Repatriation Commission; or

(ii) the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission; or

(iii) the Secretary, or an employee, of the Department administered by the Minister who administers the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986; or

(iv) the Secretary, or an employee, of the Department administered by the Minister who administers the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

46‑25 Condition of grants

It is a condition of a grant to a higher education provider under this Part that the higher education provider to whom the grant is payable must meet the *quality and accountability requirements.

46‑30 Amounts payable under this Part

The amount that is payable under this Part to an *eligible scholarship provider is the amount worked out in accordance with the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines.

46‑35 Rollover of grant amounts

(1) If:

(a) a higher education provider to which a grant under this Part has been made fails to spend an amount of that grant; and

(b) the *Secretary determines in writing that this section is to apply to the provider in respect of that grant;

then so much of the unspent amount as the Secretary specifies is taken to be granted to the provider under this Part in respect of the next following year.

(2) The amount is taken to be granted:

(a) under the same conditions as the conditions of the original grant—except the grant is taken to be made in respect of the next following year; or

(b) under such other conditions as are determined by the *Secretary.

46‑40 Maximum payments for Commonwealth scholarships

The total payments made under this Part in respect of a year referred to in the table must not exceed the amount specified next to that year in the table.

Maximum payments for Commonwealth Scholarships
Item	Year	Amount
1	2004	$124,212,000
2	2005	$151,452,000
3	2006	$179,733,000
4	2007	$209,569,000
5	2008	$239,305,000
6	2009	$290,104,000
7	2010	$304,553,000
8	2011	$316,212,000
9	2012	$307,376,000
10	2013	$278,370,000
11	2014	$278,830,000

Part 2‑5—Reduction and repayment of grants

Division 51—Introduction

51‑1 What this Part is about

Bodies may have their grants reduced, or be required to repay a grant, for breaches of conditions of grants under Part 2‑2, 2‑3 or 2‑4.

Note: This Part does not apply to Table C providers: see section 5‑1.

51‑5 The Reduction and Repayment Guidelines

Reduction and repayment of grants is also dealt with in the Reduction and Repayment Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The Reduction and Repayment Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

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

(1) The Minister may determine:

(a) that an amount of a grant made, or to be made, to a body under Part 2‑2, 2‑3 or 2‑4 is to be reduced; or

(b) that an amount of a grant made to a body under Part 2‑2, 2‑3 or 2‑4 is to be repaid to the Commonwealth.

(2) The Minister may make a determination under subsection (1) if:

(a) the body breaches a condition of a grant made to the body under Part 2‑2, 2‑3 or 2‑4, whether or not that grant is the grant to be reduced or repaid; and

(b) the Minister is satisfied that it is appropriate to take that action (see section 54‑5); and

54‑5 Appropriateness of requiring reduction or repayment of grant

Without limiting the matters that the Minister may consider in deciding whether it is appropriate under subsection 54‑1(1) to take particular action, the Minister may consider any or all of the following matters:

(a) whether the breach is of a minor or major nature;

(b) whether the breach has occurred before and, if so, how often;

(ba) if the breach is a breach of a condition imposed under section 19‑37—the amount of any adjustment under section 33‑37 in relation to that breach, or any other breach by the body, during the same year;

(d) if the body is a higher education provider—the impact of the breach on the higher education provided by the body;

(e) the impact of the breach on Australia’s reputation as a provider of high quality higher education;

(f) any other matter set out in the Reduction and Repayment Guidelines.

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

57‑1 Reduction in amount of grants

(1) If an amount of a grant is to be reduced under this Part, it must be reduced by an amount determined by the Minister in writing.

(2) The Reduction and Repayment Guidelines may set out requirements about how such an amount is to be determined. The Minister must make his or her determination in accordance with any such requirements.

57‑5 Amount of the repayment

(1) If an amount of a grant is to be repaid under this Part, the amount to be repaid is the amount that the Minister determines in writing.

(2) The amount to be repaid must not exceed the amount of the grant.

(3) The Reduction and Repayment Guidelines may set out requirements about how such an amount is to be determined. The Minister must make his or her determination in accordance with any such requirements.

(4) The amount to be repaid is a debt owed to the Commonwealth by the body to which the grant was paid.

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

60‑1 Procedure prior to decision

(1) Before making a decision under paragraph 54‑1(a) or (b) in respect of a body, the Minister must give to the body notice in writing:

(a) stating that the Minister is considering reducing the body’s grant, or requiring the repayment of a grant made to the body, as the case may be; and

(b) stating the amount of the proposed reduction or repayment and the reasons why the Minister is considering taking that action; and

(c) inviting the body to make written submissions to the Minister within 28 days on either or both of the following matters:

(i) why that action should not be taken;

(ii) why the amount of the proposed reduction or repayment should be reduced; and

(d) informing the body that, if no submission is received under paragraph (c) within the time required, the action will take effect on the day after the last day for making submissions.

(2) In deciding whether to take the action, the Minister must consider any submissions received from the body within the 28 day period.

60‑5 Notification of decision

(1) The Minister must notify the body in writing of his or her decision on whether or not to take the action. The notice:

(a) must be in writing; and

(b) if a submission was received from the body within the 28 day period—must specify the day that the decision is to take effect; and

(c) must be given within the period of 28 days following the period in which submissions may have been given to the Minister under subsection 60‑1(1).

(2) If no notice is given within the period provided for in paragraph (1)(c), the Minister is taken to have decided not to take the action.

60‑10 When a decision takes effect

If the Minister’s decision is to take the action, the decision takes effect:

(a) if no submission was made under subsection 60‑1(1)—on the day after the last day for making submissions; or

(b) if such a submission was made—on the day specified in the notice under subsection 60‑5(1).

Chapter 3—Assistance to students

Division 65—Introduction

65‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter provides for the Student Learning Entitlement and for 3 kinds of assistance that the Commonwealth provides to students.

A sufficient Student Learning Entitlement is required for a student to access HECS‑HELP assistance under this Chapter. It also enables a student to access places that are funded under Part 2‑2 (Commonwealth Grant Scheme).

Note: The Commonwealth meets all or part of the higher education costs of students who are enrolled in places funded under Part 2‑2.

The 3 kinds of assistance available under this Chapter are:

• HECS‑HELP assistance—assistance to meet a student’s liability to pay student contribution amounts for units of study that are Commonwealth supported (see Part 3‑2);

• FEE‑HELP assistance—assistance to meet a student’s liability to pay tuition fees for units of study that are not Commonwealth supported (see Part 3‑3);

• OS‑HELP assistance—assistance to a student who, as part of his or her course of study, is to undertake study at an overseas higher education institution (see Part 3.4).

The Commonwealth pays the assistance to the relevant higher education provider either (in the case of HECS‑HELP assistance and FEE‑HELP assistance) to discharge the student’s liability, or (in the case of OS‑HELP assistance) to pay to students on the Commonwealth’s behalf.

The assistance is (in most cases) in the form of a loan from the Commonwealth to the student.

Note: Chapter 4 deals with the repayment of loans made under this Chapter.

Part 3‑1—Student Learning Entitlement

Division 70—Introduction

70‑1 What this Part is about

Student Learning Entitlement (or SLE) is needed for many of the forms of assistance under this Act. In these cases, units of study that a person enrols in must be covered by the person’s SLE.

Broadly speaking, a person starts with an SLE equivalent to 7 years of full‑time study. This is reduced as the person undertakes units of study as a Commonwealth supported student (but it can be re‑credited in some circumstances).

70‑5 The Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines

*Student Learning Entitlement is also dealt with in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Division 73—What is a person’s Student Learning Entitlement?

73‑1 A person’s Student Learning Entitlement

A person’s Student Learning Entitlement is the sum of:

(a) the *ordinary SLE that the person has under section 73‑5; and

(b) any *additional SLE that the person has under section 73‑20; and

taking into account any reductions in the person’s *SLE under Division 76 and any re‑crediting of the person’s SLE under Division 79.

73‑5 Ordinary SLE

Ordinary SLE accruing on 1 January 2005

(1) A person who is an *eligible person on 1 January 2005 has, on that day, an *ordinary SLE equal to 7 *EFTSL.

Ordinary SLE accruing after 1 January 2005

(2) Any other person who (by birth or otherwise) becomes an *eligible person on a day after 1 January 2005 has on the earliest such day an *ordinary SLE equal to 7 *EFTSL.

Meaning of eligible person

(3) An eligible person is:

(a) an Australian citizen; or

(b) a citizen of New Zealand; or

73‑10 Meaning of EFTSL

(1) An EFTSL is an equivalent full‑time student load for a year. It is a measure, in respect of a *course of study, of the study load for a year of a student undertaking that course of study on a full‑time basis.

(2) A particular amount of EFTSL is an amount of study, undertaken with a higher education provider as part of a *course of study, represented by units of study with *EFTSL values the sum of which equals that amount.

73‑15 Meaning of EFTSL value

(1) The EFTSL value of a unit of study is the value that the higher education provider with which the unit may be undertaken determines in writing to be the EFTSL value of the unit, expressed as a fraction of one *EFTSL.

(2) If the unit can form part of more than one *course of study, the provider may determine an EFTSL value of the unit for each such course.

(3) If a unit of study is subject to separate determinations in relation to different *courses of study, a reference in this Act to the EFTSL value of the unit is, when the unit forms part of such a course, a reference to the EFTSL value of the unit determined under subsection (2) for the course.

(4) Determinations under this section must be in accordance with any requirements set out in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.

73‑20 Additional SLE

(1) A person has an *additional SLE if:

(a) the person is enrolled in a *course of study with a higher education provider; and

(b) the course is specified, or is a course of a kind specified, in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines as a course or kind of course to which additional SLE applies; and

(c) the person meets any other requirements, relating to additional SLE, set out in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.

(2) The person is taken to have had the *additional SLE from the time immediately before he or she enrolled in the *course of study.

(3) The amount of the *additional SLE is an amount (expressed in *EFTSL) worked out in accordance with the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.

73‑22 Life long SLE

(1) A person has a *life long SLE in the circumstances specified in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.

(2) The amount of the *life long SLE is an amount (expressed in *EFTSL) worked out in accordance with the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.

73‑25 SLE not transferable

A person’s *SLE cannot be transferred to, or used by, another person.

73‑30 Ceasing to be an eligible person

(1) A person ceases to have an *SLE if he or she ceases to be an *eligible person.

(2) If a person:

(a) had previously ceased to be an *eligible person; and

(b) becomes an eligible person again;

on becoming an eligible person again, the person has the same *SLE (if any) that he or she had immediately before the last time on which he or she ceased to be an eligible person.

Division 76—When is a person’s Student Learning Entitlement reduced?

76‑1 Reducing a person’s SLE

(1) A person’s *SLE is reduced if:

(a) at the end of the *census date for a unit of study with a higher education provider, the person is enrolled in the unit; and

(b) the person is enrolled in the unit as part of a *course of study (other than an *enabling course); and

(d) the person has, on or before the census date, completed, signed and given to an *appropriate officer of the provider a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to:

(i) the unit; or

(ii) where the course of study of which the unit forms a part is undertaken with the provider—the course of study.

(2) The amount of the reduction is an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of the unit of study.

(3) The reduction takes effect immediately after the *census date for the unit of study.

(4) This section does not apply if the unit of study consists wholly of *work experience in industry.

(5) This section does not apply to a unit that is a replacement unit within the meaning of the *tuition assurance requirements.

Note 1: There are special rules for reduction of a person’s additional SLE or life long SLE: see sections 76‑5 and 76‑10.

Note 2: A person’s SLE can be re‑credited in some circumstances: see Division 79.

76‑5 Reducing a person’s additional SLE

(1) If a person has an *additional SLE, that additional SLE is not reduced under section 76‑1 in relation to a unit of study unless:

(a) the person’s *ordinary SLE is less than the *EFTSL value of the unit; and

(b) the person is enrolled in the unit as part of the *course of study in relation to which the additional SLE applies.

(2) If:

(a) a person has both an *additional SLE and *ordinary SLE; and

(b) the ordinary SLE is insufficient to *cover a unit of study in which the person is enrolled;

then, in reducing the person’s *SLE under section 76‑1 to take account of the unit:

(d) the person’s additional SLE is reduced only to the extent that the ordinary SLE is insufficient to cover the unit.

76‑10 Reducing a person’s life long SLE

(1) If a person has a *life long SLE, that life long SLE is not reduced under section 76‑1 in relation to a unit of study unless:

(a) if the person does not have an *additional SLE—the person’s *ordinary SLE is less than the *EFTSL value of the unit; and

(b) if the person has an additional SLE—the sum of the person’s ordinary SLE and the person’s additional SLE is less than the EFTSL value of the unit.

(2) If:

(a) a person has both:

(i) a *life long SLE; and

(ii) an *ordinary SLE or an *additional SLE, or both; and

(b) the ordinary SLE or additional SLE is insufficient (or the ordinary SLE and additional SLE taken together are insufficient) to *cover a unit of study in which the person is enrolled;

then, in reducing the person’s *SLE under section 76‑1 to take account of the unit:

(c) the person’s ordinary SLE or additional SLE is reduced (or both the person’s ordinary SLE and the person’s additional SLE are reduced) to zero; and

(d) the person’s life long SLE is reduced only to the extent that the ordinary SLE or additional SLE is insufficient (or the ordinary SLE and additional SLE taken together are insufficient) to cover the unit.

Division 79—In what circumstances can a person’s Student Learning Entitlement be re‑credited?

Subdivision 79‑A—Main case of re‑crediting a person’s SLE

79‑1A Application of this Subdivision

If Subdivision 79‑B applies to re‑credit a person’s *SLE with an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of a unit of study, then this Subdivision does not apply in relation to that unit.

79‑1 Main case of re‑crediting a person’s SLE

(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, re‑credit a person’s *SLE with an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of a unit of study if:

(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit with the provider; and

(aa) the unit would, if completed, form part of a *course of study undertaken with that provider or another higher education provider; and

(ab) the unit does not wholly consist of *work experience in industry; and

(b) 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

(d) the person applies in writing to the provider for re‑crediting of the SLE; and

(e) either:

(i) the application is made before the end of the application period under section 79‑10; or

Note: A HECS‑HELP debt relating to a unit of study will be remitted if the SLE in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see subsection 137‑5(4). In addition, it is a condition of the higher education provider’s funding under Part 2‑2 that payments for the unit must be repaid: see section 36‑20.

(2) If the provider is unable to act for any one or more of the purposes of subsection (1), or section 79‑5, 79‑10 or 79‑15, the *Secretary may act as if any one or more of the references in those provisions to the provider were a reference to the Secretary.

79‑5 Special circumstances

(1) For the purposes of paragraph 79‑1(1)(c), special circumstances apply to the person if and only if the higher education provider receiving the application is satisfied that circumstances apply to the person that:

(a) are beyond the person’s control; and

(b) do not make their full impact on the person until on or after the *census date for the unit of study in question; and

(c) make it impracticable for the person to complete the requirements for the unit during the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.

(2) The Student Learning Entitlement 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.

Note: Guidelines made for the purposes of this subsection also have effect for the purposes of subsection 36‑22(4) (repayments etc. for work experience units) and subsection 104‑30(2) (re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance).

79‑10 Application period

(1) If:

(a) the person applying under paragraph 79‑1(1)(d) for the re‑crediting of the person’s *SLE in relation to a unit of study has withdrawn his or her enrolment in the unit; and

(b) the higher education provider gives notice to the person that the withdrawal has taken effect;

the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the day specified in the notice as the day the withdrawal takes effect.

(2) If subsection (1) does not apply, the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the end of the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.

79‑15 Dealing with applications

(1) If:

(a) the application is made before the end of the application period under section 79‑10; or

the provider must, as soon as practicable, consider the matter to which the application relates and notify the applicant of the decision on the application.

(2) The notice must include a statement of the reasons for the decision.

Note: Refusals of applications are reviewable under Part 5‑7.

Subdivision 79‑B—Re‑crediting a person’s SLE if provider ceases to provide course of which unit forms part

79‑20 Re‑crediting a person’s SLE if provider ceases to provide course of which unit forms part

(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, re‑credit a person’s *SLE with an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of a unit of study if:

(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit as part of a *course of study with the provider; and

(b) 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 the unit as a result of ceasing to provide the course of which the unit formed part; and

(ba) the unit does not wholly consist of *work experience in industry; and

(d) the person chose the option designated under the tuition assurance requirements as student contribution/tuition fee repayment in relation to the unit.

(2) The *Secretary may re‑credit the person’s *SLE under subsection (1) if the provider is unable to do so.

Subdivision 79‑C—Students without tax file numbers

79‑25 Re‑crediting a person’s SLE—no tax file number

(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, re‑credit a person’s *SLE with an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of a unit of study if:

(a) the provider cancels the person’s enrolment in the unit under subsection 193‑5(1); and

(b) the unit does not wholly consist of *work experience in industry.

(2) The *Secretary may re‑credit the person’s *SLE under subsection (1) if the provider is unable to do so.

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

82‑1 General rule

A unit of study is covered by a person’s *SLE if:

(a) the person enrols in the unit as part of a *course of study with a higher education provider; and

(b) the *EFTSL value of the unit does not exceed the amount of the person’s SLE that is *available to the person at the time of enrolment in the unit.

82‑5 Availability of a person’s SLE

The amount of a person’s *SLE that is available to the person at a particular time is the difference between:

(a) the amount of the person’s SLE at that time; and

(b) the sum of the *EFTSL values of all of the units of study (if any) in which the person is enrolled, each of which is a unit of study:

(i) the *census date for which will occur later than that time; and

(ii) that was *covered by the person’s SLE at the time of enrolment; and

(iii) in relation to which the person is a *Commonwealth supported student.

Example: Assume that Alan has an SLE of 0.75 EFTSL on a day on which he enrols as a Commonwealth supported student in 2 units of study with one higher education provider (total EFTSL value of 0.25 EFTSL), and in 3 units of study with another higher education provider (total EFTSL value of 0.38 EFTSL). Assume further that the census dates for all of the units are later days.

The amount of SLE that is available to Alan following the enrolments is:

Note that Alan still has an SLE of 0.75 EFTSL, which is unaffected until the first of the census dates for the units. However, only 0.12 EFTSL can be applied to further enrolments.

If Alan wanted to enrol in another unit of study with an EFTSL value of 0.125, the unit would not be covered by the person’s SLE.

Alan could not be a Commonwealth supported student in relation to the other unit unless, before the census date for one of the units (with an EFTSL value of at least 0.05) in which he is enrolled, he:

(a) provides written advice to the higher education provider in question that he did not wish to be a Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit; or

(b) discontinues his enrolment in the unit.

82‑10 Additional SLE

A unit of study is not covered by a person’s *SLE, despite section 82‑1, if:

(a) the person has an *additional SLE; and

(b) the *EFTSL value of the unit exceeds the amount of the person’s *ordinary SLE or *life long SLE that is *available (or the person’s ordinary SLE and the person’s life long SLE that are available) to the person at the time of enrolment in the unit;

unless the person is enrolled in, or proposes to enrol in, the unit as part of the *course of study in relation to which the additional SLE applies.

82‑15 Simultaneous enrolments that exceed a person’s SLE

(1) If:

(a) a person enrols at the same time in more than one unit of study as part of one or more *courses of study with one or more higher education providers; and

(b) the sum of the *EFTSL values of the units exceed the amount of the person’s *SLE that is *available to the person at the time of enrolment in the units;

then, despite section 82‑1, a unit that is one of those units is covered by the person’s SLE only if:

(c) the person chooses not to be a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to one or more of the other units (excluded units); and

(d) the sum of the EFTSL values of all of those units that are not excluded units does not exceed the amount of the person’s SLE that is available to the person at the time of enrolment in the units; and

(e) in a case where the person has an *additional SLE—section 82‑10 does not prevent the unit from being covered by the person’s SLE.

(2) A person’s choice under paragraph (1)(c) in relation to a unit of study is to be made by giving written notice of the choice:

(a) to an *appropriate officer of the higher education provider with which the person is enrolled in the unit; and

(b) on or before the *census date for the unit.

Part 3‑2—HECS‑HELP assistance

Division 87—Introduction

87‑1 What this Part is about

A student may be entitled to HECS‑HELP assistance for units of study for which he or she is Commonwealth supported, if certain requirements are met.

The amount of assistance to which the student may be entitled is based on his or her student contribution amounts for the units, less any up‑front payments. The assistance is paid to a higher education provider to discharge the student’s liability to pay his or her student contribution amounts.

Note 1: Amounts of assistance under this Part may form part of a person’s HELP debts that the Commonwealth recovers under Part 4‑2.

Note 2: This Part does not apply to Table C providers: see section 5‑1.

87‑5 The HECS‑HELP Guidelines

*HECS‑HELP assistance is also dealt with in the HECS‑HELP Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note 1: The HECS‑HELP Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Note 2: Matters arising under section 93‑10 may be dealt with in the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines.

Division 90—Who is entitled to HECS‑HELP assistance?

90‑1 Entitlement to HECS‑HELP assistance

A student is entitled to *HECS‑HELP assistance for a unit of study in which the student is enrolled with a higher education provider as part of a *course of study if:

(a) the student meets the citizenship or residency requirements under section 90‑5; and

(b) the *census date for the unit is on or after 1 January 2005; and

(d) either:

(i) at the time of enrolment, the unit was *covered by the student’s *Student Learning Entitlement; or

(ii) the unit wholly consists of *work experience in industry; and

(e) the student:

(i) enrolled in the unit on or before the census date for the unit; and

(ii) at the end of the census date, remained so enrolled; and

(f) the student either:

(i) *meets the tax file number requirements (see section 187‑1); or

(ii) pays, as one or more *up‑front payments in relation to the unit, 80% of his or her *student contribution amount for the unit; and

(g) the student has, on or before the census date, completed, signed and given to an *appropriate officer of the provider a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit or, where the course of study of which the unit forms a part is undertaken with the provider, in relation to the course of study.

90‑5 Citizenship or residency requirements

(1) A student meets the citizenship or residency requirements under this section in relation to a unit of study if the student is:

(a) an Australian citizen; or

(b) a *permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit.

(2) In determining, for the purpose of paragraph (1)(b), whether the student will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit, disregard any period of residence outside Australia that:

(a) cannot reasonably be regarded as indicating an intention to reside outside Australia for the duration of that unit; or

(b) is required for the purpose of completing a requirement of that unit.

(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), a *permanent humanitarian visa holder does not meet the citizenship or residency requirements in relation to a unit of study if the provider reasonably expects that the visa holder will not undertake in Australia any units of study contributing to the *course of study of which the unit forms a part.

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

93‑1 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) his or her *student contribution amount for the unit; and

(b) the sum of any *up‑front payments made in relation to the unit.

93‑5 Student contribution amounts

(1) A person’s student contribution amount for a unit of study is the amount worked out as follows:

where the person’s student contribution amount for a place in the unit is:

(a) if only one student contribution amount has been determined for places in the unit under subsection 19‑87(2)—that student contribution amount; or

(b) if more than one student contribution amount has been determined for places in the unit under that subsection—the student contribution amount determined under that subsection that applies to the person.

(2) A person’s *student contribution amount for a place in a unit must not exceed the *maximum student contribution amount for a place in the unit.

(3) A person’s student contribution amount for a unit of study is nil if the person undertakes the unit as part of an *enabling course. This subsection has effect despite subsection (1).

(4) If an amount worked out by using the formula in subsection (1) is an amount made up of dollars and cents, round the amount down to the nearest dollar.

93‑10 Maximum student contribution amounts for places

(1) The maximum student contribution amount for a place in a unit of study is the amount specified in the following table in relation to the funding cluster in which the unit is included.

Maximum student contribution amounts for places
Item	Column 1 For a place in a unit in this funding cluster:	Column 2 The maximum student contribution is:
1	Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce	$8,859
2	Humanities	$5,310
3	Mathematics, Statistics, Behavioural Science, Social Studies, Computing, Built Environment, Other Health	(a) for a place in a unit in Computing, Built Environment or Other Health—$7,567; or (b) for a place in a unit in Behavioural Science or Social Studies—$5,310; or (c) for a place in a unit in Mathematics or Statistics—$4,249.
4	Education	$5,310
5	Clinical Psychology, Allied Health, Foreign Languages, Visual and Performing Arts	(a) for a place in a unit in Clinical Psychology, Foreign Languages or Visual and Performing Arts—$5,310; or (b) for a place in a unit in Allied Health—$7,567.
6	Nursing	$5,310
7	Engineering, Science, Surveying	(a) for a place in a unit in Engineering or Surveying—$7,567; or (b) for a place in a unit in Science—$4,249.
8	Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Agriculture	(a) for a place in a unit in Dentistry, Medicine or Veterinary Science—$8,859; or (b) for a place in a unit in Agriculture—$7,567.

Note 1: Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines made for the purposes of section 33‑35 and this section deal with the funding clusters in which particular units of study are included and whether particular units are units in a particular part of a funding cluster.

Note 2: Maximum student contribution amounts for places are indexed under Part 5‑6.

(2) The Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines may specify, for the purposes of column 2 of the table in subsection (1):

(a) how to determine whether a particular unit is a unit in a particular part of a *funding cluster; or

(b) that a particular unit is in a particular part of a funding cluster.

93‑15 Up‑front payments

(1) An up‑front payment, in relation to a unit of study for which a person is liable to pay his or her *student contribution amount, is a payment of part of the student’s student contribution amount for the unit, other than a payment of *HECS‑HELP assistance under this Part.

(2) The payment must be made on or before the *census date for the unit.

(3) A payment made in respect of a person is not an up‑front payment to the extent that:

(a) the payment; or

(b) if other up‑front payments have already been made in respect of the person in relation to the unit—the sum of the payment and all of those other up‑front payments;

exceeds 80% of the person’s *student contribution amount for the unit.

Note 1: The Commonwealth pays 1/4 of any up‑front payments in respect of a student if the total amount of the up‑front payments, for the unit and the student’s other units with the same census date, is 80% of the sum of his or her student contribution amounts for all of his or her units or is $500 or more: see sections 96‑5 and 96‑10.

Note 2: It is a condition of grants under Part 2‑2 that a higher education provider not accept an up‑front payment of more than 80% of a student’s student contribution amount from a student who is entitled to HECS‑HELP assistance: see section 36‑50.

Division 96—How are amounts of HECS‑HELP assistance paid?

Note: Part 5‑1 deals generally with payments by the Commonwealth under this Act.

96‑1 Payments to higher education providers—no up‑front payment of student contribution amount

If a student is entitled to an amount of *HECS‑HELP assistance for a unit of study with a higher education provider and no *up‑front payments are made for the unit, the Commonwealth must:

(a) as a benefit to the student, lend to the student the amount of HECS‑HELP assistance; and

(b) pay to the provider the amount lent in discharge of the student’s liability to pay his or her *student contribution amount for the unit.

96‑5 Payments to higher education providers—partial up‑front payment of student contribution amount

General

(1) If:

(a) a student is entitled to an amount of *HECS‑HELP assistance for a unit of study with a higher education provider; and

(b) one or more *up‑front payments have been made for the unit; and

(i) that have the same *census date as that unit; and

(ii) in relation to which the student is enrolled with the provider as a *Commonwealth supported student;

is less than 80% of the sum of the student’s *student contribution amounts for all of his or her units; and

(d) the sum of all of the up‑front payments made for all of the units is $500 or more;

the Commonwealth must pay the amount of HECS‑HELP assistance in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).

Payment of loan amount

(2) The Commonwealth must:

(a) as a benefit to the student, lend to the student an amount equal to the difference between the amount of *HECS‑HELP assistance for the unit and the *HECS‑HELP discount for the unit; and

(b) pay to the provider the amount lent in discharge of that amount of the student’s liability to pay his or her *student contribution amount for the unit.

Payment of discount amount

(3) The Commonwealth must, as a benefit to the student, pay to the provider an amount equal to the *HECS‑HELP discount for the unit in discharge of that amount of the student’s liability to pay his or her *student contribution amount for the unit.

Meaning of HECS‑HELP discount

(4) The HECS‑HELP discount for a unit of study is an amount equal to one quarter of the sum of all of the *up‑front payments made for the unit.

Example: Robert is required to pay a student contribution amount of $2,745 by 31 March 2005, and makes an up‑front payment of $1,000 on 20 March 2005.

Robert is entitled to HECS‑HELP assistance of $1,745 ($2,745 minus $1,000), which the Commonwealth must pay to the higher education provider.

The up‑front payment exceeded $500 so there is a HECS‑HELP discount of $250 (one quarter of $1,000). The Commonwealth lends to Robert the remainder of the HECS‑HELP assistance, an amount of $1,495 ($1745 minus $250).

96‑10 Payments to higher education providers—full up‑front payment of student contribution amount

If:

(a) a student is entitled to an amount of *HECS‑HELP assistance for a unit of study with a higher education provider; and

(b) one or more *up‑front payments have been made for the unit; and

(i) that have the same *census date as that unit; and

(ii) in relation to which the student is enrolled as a *Commonwealth supported student;

is 80% of the sum of the student’s *student contribution amounts for all of his or her units;

the Commonwealth must, as a benefit to the student, pay to the provider the amount of HECS‑HELP assistance for the unit in discharge of that amount of the student’s liability to pay his or her student contribution amount for the unit.

Note: HECS‑HELP assistance does not give rise to a HECS‑HELP debt if there has been an up‑front payment of 80% of a student’s student contribution amount for the unit and for the student’s other units with the same census date.

Part 3‑3—FEE‑HELP assistance

Division 101—Introduction

101‑1 What this Part is about

A student may be entitled to FEE‑HELP assistance for units of study for which he or she is not Commonwealth supported, if certain requirements are met.

The amount of assistance to which the student may be entitled is based on his or her tuition fees for the units, but there is a limit on the total amount of assistance that the student can receive. 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 tuition fees.

Note: Amounts of assistance under this Part may form part of a person’s HELP debts that the Commonwealth recovers under Part 4‑2.

101‑5 The FEE‑HELP Guidelines

*FEE‑HELP assistance is also dealt with in the FEE‑HELP Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The FEE‑HELP Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Division 104—Who is entitled to FEE‑HELP assistance?

Subdivision 104‑A—Basic rules

104‑1 Entitlement to FEE‑HELP assistance

(1) Subject to sections 104‑2, 104‑3 and 104‑4, a student is entitled to *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study if:

(a) the student meets the citizenship or residency requirements under section 104‑5; and

(b) the student’s *FEE‑HELP balance is greater than zero; and

(d) the student is not a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit; and

(e) the unit meets the course requirements under section 104‑10; and

(f) the unit:

(i) is, or is to be, undertaken as part of a *course of study; or

(ii) is a unit access to which was provided by *Open Universities Australia; or

(iii) is part of a *bridging course for overseas‑trained professionals; and

(g) the student:

(i) enrolled in the unit on or before the census date for the unit; and

(ii) at the end of the census date, remained so enrolled; and

(h) the student *meets the tax file number requirements (see section 187‑1); and

(i) the student has, on or before the census date:

(i) if access to the unit was provided by Open Universities Australia—completed, signed and given to an *appropriate officer of Open Universities Australia a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit; or

(ii) in any other case—completed, signed and given to an appropriate officer of the higher education provider a request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit or, where the course of study of which the unit forms a part is, or is to be, undertaken with the provider, in relation to the course of study.

104‑2 Failure by a student to complete previous units accessed through Open Universities Australia

A student is not entitled to *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study access to which is provided by *Open Universities Australia if:

(a) the student has already undertaken 8 or more other units of study, access to which was provided by Open Universities Australia; and

(b) the student did not successfully complete at least 50% of those other units.

104‑3 Failure by Open Universities Australia to comply with FEE‑HELP Guidelines etc.

(1) The Minister may determine, by legislative instrument, that there is to be no entitlement to *FEE‑HELP assistance for a specified year for units of study to which access is provided by *Open Universities Australia, if the Minister is satisfied that Open Universities Australia has, during the 2 years immediately preceding the specified year, failed to comply with the FEE‑HELP Guidelines or with subsection (5).

(2) Without limiting the generality of what may be included in the FEE‑HELP Guidelines, they may include any or all of the following:

(a) requirements relating to the financial viability of *Open Universities Australia;

(b) requirements relating to the quality of tuition accessed through Open Universities Australia;

(c) requirements relating to fairness in the treatment of persons accessing, or seeking to access, tuition through Open Universities Australia;

(d) requirements relating to compliance with this Act, the regulations and other Guidelines made under this Act;

(e) requirements relating to *tuition fees for units of study accessed through Open Universities Australia;

(f) requirements relating to the provision of information to the Commonwealth by Open Universities Australia that is relevant in any way to the provision of *FEE‑HELP assistance to students accessing units of study through Open Universities Australia, or the repayment of the *HELP debts of those students;

(g) administrative requirements of the kinds imposed on higher education providers under Parts 5.2 and 5.3 of this Act.

(3) A student is not entitled to *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study if:

(a) access to the unit is provided by *Open Universities Australia; and

(b) the Minister has made a determination under subsection (1) in relation to the year during which the unit is accessed; and

(5) *Open Universities Australia must comply with section 19‑37 as if it were a higher education provider.

104‑4 Failure by Open Universities Australia to set tuition fees and census date

(1) This section applies to a unit of study access to which is provided by *Open Universities Australia during a period ascertained in accordance with the FEE‑HELP Guidelines.

(2) *Open Universities Australia must determine, for the unit, one or more *fees that are to apply to students to whom Open Universities Australia provides access to the unit during the period.

(2AA) In determining more than one *fee under subsection (2), *Open Universities Australia may have regard to any matters Open Universities Australia considers appropriate, other than matters specified in the FEE‑HELP Guidelines as matters to which Open Universities Australia must not have regard.

(2A) *Open Universities Australia must not vary a *fee unless Open Universities Australia:

(a) does so:

(i) before the date ascertained in accordance with the FEE‑HELP Guidelines; and

(ii) in circumstances specified in the FEE‑HELP Guidelines; or

(b) does so with the written approval of the Minister.

(3) A fee includes any tuition, examination or other fee payable to *Open Universities Australia by those students in relation to the unit.

(4) A fee does not include a fee:

(a) payable in respect of an organisation of students, or of students and other persons; or

(b) payable in respect of the provision to students of amenities or services that are not of an academic nature; or

Census date

(5) *Open Universities Australia must set a particular date to be the *census date for the unit for the period.

(5A) *Open Universities Australia must not vary a *census date unless Open Universities Australia:

(a) does so:

(i) before the date ascertained in accordance with the FEE‑HELP Guidelines; and

(ii) in circumstances specified in the FEE‑HELP Guidelines; or

(b) does so with the written approval of the Minister.

Consequence of failure to set tuition fees and census date

(6) If *Open Universities Australia does not:

(a) determine a *fee in accordance with subsection (2) for the unit for the period; or

(b) determine a *census date in accordance with subsection (5) for the unit for the period;

no student to whom Open Universities Australia provides access to the unit for that period is entitled to *FEE‑HELP assistance for the unit.

104‑5 Citizenship or residency requirements

(1) A student meets the citizenship or residency requirements under this section in relation to a unit of study if the student is:

(a) an Australian citizen; or

(b) a *permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit; or

(c) if the student is undertaking, or is to undertake, the unit as part of a *bridging course for overseas‑trained professionals—a *permanent visa holder who will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit.

(2) In determining, for the purpose of paragraph (1)(b) or (c), whether the student will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit, disregard any period of residence outside Australia that:

(a) cannot reasonably be regarded as indicating an intention to reside outside Australia for the duration of the unit; or

(b) is required for the purpose of completing a requirement of that unit.

(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), a *permanent humanitarian visa holder or *permanent visa holder does not meet the citizenship or residency requirements in relation to a unit of study if the provider reasonably expects that the visa holder will not undertake in Australia any units of study contributing to the *course of study, or the *bridging course for overseas‑trained professionals, of which the unit forms a part.

104‑10 Course requirements

(1) The course requirements for *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study are that:

(a) if the unit is being undertaken as part of a *course of study, the course is not a course that:

(i) is subject to a determination under subsection (2); or

(ii) is with a higher education provider that is subject to a determination under subsection (2); and

(b) if the unit is being undertaken as part of a course of study with a higher education provider and the course is not a course that the provider is authorised by a *government accreditation authority to accredit—the course is an *accredited course.

(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that:

(a) a specified course provided by a specified higher education provider is a course in relation to which *FEE‑HELP assistance is unavailable; or

(b) all courses provided by a specified higher education provider are courses in relation to which FEE‑HELP assistance is unavailable.

(3) In deciding whether to make a determination under subsection (2), the Minister must have regard to the effect of the determination on students undertaking the course or courses.

(4) A determination of the Minister under subsection (2) must not be made later than 6 months before the day that students are able next to commence the specified course, or courses, with the provider.

Subdivision 104‑B—FEE‑HELP balances

104‑15 A person’s FEE‑HELP balance

(1) A person’s FEE‑HELP balance at a particular time is:

(a) if the *FEE‑HELP limit in relation to the person at the time exceeds the sum of all of the amounts of *FEE‑HELP assistance and *VET FEE‑HELP assistance that have previously been payable to the person, being that sum as reduced by any amounts previously re‑credited under this Subdivision or Subdivision 7‑B of Schedule 1A—that excess; and

(b) otherwise—zero.

Note: If an amount is to be re‑credited to a FEE‑HELP balance, the balance that is to be re‑credited is worked out immediately before that re‑crediting. The balance is worked out after the re‑crediting by taking account of the amount re‑credited. If a person’s FEE‑HELP limit has been reduced, the balance might not increase, or might not increase by the same amount as the amount re‑credited.

(2) To avoid doubt, the sum referred to in paragraph (1)(a) includes amounts of *FEE‑HELP assistance and *VET FEE‑HELP assistance that have been repaid.

104‑20 The FEE‑HELP limit

The FEE‑HELP limit is:

(a) $80,000; or

(b) in relation to a person who is enrolled in a *course of study in medicine, a *course of study in dentistry or a *course of study in veterinary science, while the person is enrolled in that course—$100,000.

Note: The FEE‑HELP limit is indexed under Part 5‑6.

104‑25 Main case of re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance

(1A) If section 104‑42 applies to re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance with an amount equal to the amounts of *FEE‑HELP assistance that the person has received for a unit of study, then this section does not apply in relation to that unit.

(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance with an amount equal to the amounts of *FEE‑HELP assistance that the person received for a unit of study if:

(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit with the provider; and

(aa) access to the unit was not provided by *Open Universities Australia; and

(b) 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

(d) the person applies in writing to the provider for re‑crediting of the FEE‑HELP balance; and

(e) either:

(i) the application is made before the end of the application period under section 104‑35; or

(2) *Open Universities Australia must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance with an amount equal to the amounts of *FEE‑HELP assistance that the person has received for a unit of study if:

(a) access to the unit was provided by Open Universities Australia; and

(b) 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

(d) the person applies in writing to Open Universities Australia for re‑crediting of the FEE‑HELP balance; and

(e) either:

(i) the application is made before the end of the application period under section 104‑35; or

(ii) Open Universities Australia waives the requirement that the application be made before the end of that period, on the ground that it would not be, or was not, possible for the application to be made before the end of that period.

Note: A FEE‑HELP debt relating to a unit of study will be remitted if the FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see section 137‑10.

(3) If the provider is unable to act for one or more of the purposes of subsection (1) or (2), or section 104‑30, 104‑35 or 104‑40, the *Secretary may act as if one or more of the references in those provisions to the provider were a reference to the Secretary.

104‑27 Re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance—no tax file number

(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit with the provider; and

(b) subsection 193‑10(1) applies to the person in relation to the unit.

Note: A FEE‑HELP debt relating to a unit of study will be remitted if the FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see section 137‑10.

(3) The *Secretary may re‑credit the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance under subsection (1) or (2) if the provider or *Open Universities Australia is unable to do so.

104‑30 Special circumstances

(1) For the purposes of paragraph 104‑25(1)(c), special circumstances apply to the person if and only if the higher education provider receiving the application is satisfied that circumstances apply to the person that:

(a) are beyond the person’s control; and

(b) do not make their full impact on the person until on or after the *census date for the unit of study in question; and

(c) make it impracticable for the person to complete the requirements for the unit in the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake the unit.

(2) If the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines specify circumstances in which a higher education provider will be satisfied of a matter referred to in paragraph 79‑5(1)(a), (b) or (c), any decision of a higher education provider under this section must be in accordance with any such guidelines.

Note: The matters referred to in paragraphs 79‑5(1)(a), (b) and (c) (which relate to re‑crediting of Student Learning Entitlement) are identical to the matters referred to in paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c) of this section.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph 104‑25(2)(c), special circumstances apply to the person if and only if *Open Universities Australia is satisfied that circumstances apply to the person that:

(a) are beyond the person’s control; and

(b) do not make their full impact on the person until on or after the *census date for the unit of study in question; and

(c) make it impracticable for the person to complete the requirements for the unit in the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.

104‑35 Application period

(1) If:

(a) the person applying under 104‑25(1)(d) for the re‑crediting of the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance in relation to a unit of study has withdrawn his or her enrolment in the unit; and

(b) the higher education provider gives notice to the person that the withdrawal has taken effect;

the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the day specified in the notice as the day the withdrawal takes effect.

(1A) If:

(a) the person applying under paragraph 104‑25(2)(d) for the re‑crediting of the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance in relation to a unit of study has withdrawn from the unit; and

(b) *Open Universities Australia gives notice to the person that the withdrawal has taken effect;

the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the day specified in the notice as the day the withdrawal takes effect.

(2) If subsections (1) and (1A) do not apply, the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.

104‑40 Dealing with applications

(1) If:

(a) the application is made under paragraph 104‑25(1)(d) before the end of the relevant application period; or

the provider must, as soon as practicable, consider the matter to which the application relates and notify the applicant of the decision on the application.

(1A) If:

(a) the application is made under paragraph 104‑25(2)(d) before the end of the relevant application period; or

(b) *Open Universities Australia waives the requirement that the application be made before the end of that period, on the ground that it would not be, or was not, possible for the application to be made before the end of that period;

Open Universities Australia must, as soon as practicable, consider the matter to which the application relates and notify the applicant of the decision of the application.

(2) The notice must include a statement of the reasons for the decision.

Note: Refusals of applications are reviewable under Part 5‑7.

104‑42 Re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance if provider ceases to provide course of which unit forms part

(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit with the provider; and

(d) the person chose the option designated under the tuition assurance requirements as student contribution/tuition fee repayment in relation to the unit.

Note: A FEE‑HELP debt relating to a unit of study will be remitted if the FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see subsection 137‑10(4).

(2) The *Secretary may re‑credit the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance under subsection (1) if the provider is unable to do so.

Subdivision 104‑C—Bridging courses for overseas‑trained professionals

104‑45 Meaning of bridging course for overseas‑trained professionals

Courses consisting of subjects or units

(1) One or more subjects or units in which a person is enrolled with a higher education provider, or to which access is provided by *Open Universities Australia, are together a bridging course for overseas‑trained professionals if:

(a) the person holds an *assessment statement issued by an *assessing body for a *listed professional occupation; and

(b) the statement is to the effect that, in the body’s opinion, if the person were successfully to undertake additional studies of a kind specified in the statement, the person would meet the *requirements for entry to that occupation; and

(i) enrolling, or proposing to enrol, on a *non‑award basis, in those subjects or units with the provider; or

(ii) accessing, or proposing to access, those subjects or units through Open Universities Australia; and

(d) the total student load imposed on the person in relation to those subjects or units does not exceed the student load that, in the opinion of the provider or Open Universities Australia, represents the load imposed on a full‑time student for one year; and

(e) those subjects or units relate to the assessment statement.

Courses consisting of occupation‑related courses of instruction

(2) One or more occupation‑related courses of instruction in which a person is enrolled with a higher education provider, or to which access is provided by *Open Universities Australia, are together a bridging course for overseas‑trained professionals if:

(a) the person holds an *assessment statement issued by an *assessing body for a *listed professional occupation; and

(b) the statement is to the effect that, in the body’s opinion, if the person were to be successful in one or more examinations specified in the statement, the person would meet the *requirements for entry to that occupation; and

(i) enrolling, or proposing to enrol, on a *non‑award basis, in those occupation‑related courses of instruction with the provider; or

(ii) accessing, or proposing to access, those occupation‑related courses of instruction through Open Universities Australia; and

(d) the total student load imposed on the person in relation to those courses does not exceed the student load that, in the opinion of the provider or Open Universities Australia, represents the load imposed on a full‑time student for one year; and

(e) those courses relate to the assessment statement.

Courses consisting of tuition and training programs

(3) A tuition and training program in which a person is enrolled with a higher education provider, or to which access is provided by *Open Universities Australia, is a bridging course for overseas‑trained professionals if:

(a) the person holds an *assessment statement issued by an *assessing body for a *listed professional occupation; and

(b) the statement is to the effect that, in the body’s opinion, if the person were to undertake a tuition and training program of a kind specified in the statement, the person would meet the *requirements for entry to that occupation; and

(i) enrolling, or proposing to enrol, on a *non‑award basis, in a tuition and training program with the provider; or

(ii) accessing, or proposing to access, a tuition and training program through Open Universities Australia; and

(d) the total student load imposed on the person in relation to that program does not exceed the student load that, in the opinion of the provider or Open Universities Australia, represents the load imposed on a full‑time student for one year; and

(e) that program relates to the assessment statement.

104‑50 Assessment statements

(1) An *assessing body for a *listed professional occupation may give to a person who:

(a) holds a qualification that:

(i) was awarded in a foreign country; and

(ii) relates to that occupation; and

(b) proposes to seek entry to that occupation:

(i) in Australia; or

(ii) if the assessing body is an *assessing body of a State or Territory—in that State or Territory;

a written statement to the effect that, in the body’s opinion, if the person were to do any or all of the things referred to in subsection (2), the person would meet the *requirements for entry to that occupation. The statement is an assessment statement.

(2) The statement may refer to any or all of the following:

(a) successfully undertaking additional studies of a kind specified in the statement;

(b) being successful in one or more examinations specified in the statement;

Note: A statement could specify one of the things mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) or any combination of the things mentioned in those paragraphs.

(3) This section does not affect the power of an *assessing body to charge fees for an *assessment statement under subsection (1).

104‑55 Meaning of assessing body

(1) An assessing body for a particular *listed professional occupation is a person or body specified in the FEE‑HELP Guidelines as an assessing body for that occupation.

(2) This section does not prevent 2 or more persons or bodies from being assessing bodies for the same *listed professional occupation.

(3) The FEE‑HELP Guidelines may limit the specification of a person or body as an assessing body for a particular *listed professional occupation to:

(a) a particular State; or

(b) the Australian Capital Territory; or

Such an assessing body is an assessing body of a State or Territory.

104‑60 Meaning of listed professional occupations

(1) A listed professional occupation is an *occupation specified in the FEE‑HELP Guidelines as a listed professional occupation.

(2) To avoid doubt, an *occupation may be specified even if it is not one of the traditional professions.

104‑65 Occupation includes part of an occupation

(1) An occupation includes a part of an occupation specified in the FEE‑HELP Guidelines as an occupation in its own right.

(2) The following are examples of ways in which a part of an occupation can be specified:

(a) so much of an occupation as has a bachelor degree (or equivalent) entry requirement;

(b) so much of an occupation as consists of a particular specialisation.

104‑70 Requirements for entry to an occupation

(1) The requirements for entry, to a *listed professional occupation, are the educational requirements:

(a) for entry to that occupation in Australia; or

(b) if the requirements are referred to in an *assessment statement given by an *assessing body of a State or Territory for that occupation—for entry to that occupation in that State or Territory.

(2) A requirement for entry to a *listed professional occupation may:

(a) be imposed by or under a law; or

(b) be imposed by or under the rules of a body; or

(d) arise as a generally accepted employment or industry practice.

(3) However, neither of the following is a requirement for entry to a *listed professional occupation:

(a) English language training relating to general aspects of written communication or verbal communication, or both; or

(b) being successful in:

(i) the Occupational English Test administered by Language Australia; or

(ii) any other English language test, where that test does not form an integral part of an occupation‑related study unit, an occupation‑related course of instruction or an occupation‑related tuition and training program.

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

107‑1 The amount of FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study

The amount of *FEE‑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.

Note: A lesser amount may be payable because of section 107‑10.

107‑5 Up‑front payments

(1) An up‑front payment, in relation to a unit of study for which a student is liable to pay a *tuition fee, is a payment of all or part of the student’s tuition fee for the unit, other than a payment of *FEE‑HELP assistance under this Part.

(2) The payment must be made on or before the *census date for the unit.

107‑10 Amounts of FEE‑HELP assistance and VET FEE‑HELP assistance must not exceed the FEE‑HELP balance

Amount of FEE‑HELP assistance for one unit

(1) The amount of *FEE‑HELP assistance to which a student is entitled for a unit of study is an amount equal to the student’s *FEE‑HELP balance on the *census date for the unit if:

(a) there is no other:

(i) unit of study, with the same census date, for which the student is entitled to FEE‑HELP assistance; or

(ii) *VET unit of study, with the same census date, for which the student is entitled to *VET FEE‑HELP assistance; and

(b) the amount of FEE‑HELP assistance to which the student would be entitled under section 107‑1 for the unit would exceed that FEE‑HELP balance.

Amount of FEE‑HELP assistance for more than one unit

(2) If the sum of:

(a) the amount of *FEE‑HELP assistance to which a student would be entitled under section 107‑1 for a unit of study; and

(b) any other amounts of:

(i) FEE‑HELP assistance to which the student would be entitled under that section for other units that have the same *census date as that unit; and

(ii) *VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which the student would be entitled under clause 52 of Schedule 1A for other units that have the same census date as that unit;

would exceed the student’s *FEE‑HELP balance on the census date for the unit, then, despite subsection (1) of this section, the total amount of FEE‑HELP assistance and VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which the student is entitled for all of those units is an amount equal to that FEE‑HELP balance.

Example: Kath has a FEE‑HELP balance of $2,000, and is enrolled in 4 units with the same census date. Kath’s tuition fee for each unit is $600. The total amount of FEE‑HELP assistance to which Kath is entitled for the units is $2,000, even though the total amount of her tuition fees for the units is $2,400.

(3) If the student has enrolled in the units with more than one higher education provider or *VET provider, and access to none of the units was provided by *Open Universities Australia, the student must notify each provider of the proportion of the total amount of *FEE‑HELP assistance or *VET FEE‑HELP assistance that is to be payable in relation to the units in which the student has enrolled with that provider.

(4) If access to some, but not all, of the units of study was provided by *Open Universities Australia, the student must:

(a) notify Open Universities Australia of the proportion of the total amount of *FEE‑HELP assistance that is to be payable in relation to units access to which was provided by Open Universities Australia; and

(b) notify each higher education provider or *VET provider at which the student is enrolled in a unit, access to which was not provided by Open Universities Australia, of the proportion of the total amount of FEE‑HELP assistance or *VET FEE‑HELP assistance that is to be payable in relation to that unit.

Division 110—How are amounts of FEE‑HELP assistance paid?

Note: Part 5‑1 deals generally with payments by the Commonwealth under this Act.

110‑1 Payments

(1) If a student is entitled to an amount of *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study with a higher education provider, and access to the unit was not provided by *Open Universities Australia, the Commonwealth must:

(a) as a benefit to the student, lend to the student the amount of FEE‑HELP assistance; and

(b) pay the amount lent to the provider in discharge of the student’s liability to pay his or her *tuition fee for the unit.

(2) If a student is entitled to an amount of *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study and access to the unit was provided by *Open Universities Australia, the Commonwealth must:

(a) as a benefit to the student, lend to the student the amount of FEE‑HELP assistance; and

(b) pay the amount lent to Open Universities Australia in discharge of the student’s liability to pay his or her *tuition fee for the unit.

110‑5 Effect of FEE‑HELP balance being re‑credited

(1) If, under subsection 104‑25(1), 104‑27(1) or section 104‑42, a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance is re‑credited with an amount relating to *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study, the provider must pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to the amount of FEE‑HELP assistance to which the person was entitled for the unit.

Note: The provider must repay the amount under subsection (1) even if the person’s FEE‑HELP balance is not increased by an amount equal to the amount re‑credited.

(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply to the provider if:

(a) the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance was re‑credited under subsection 104‑25(1) (main case of re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance); and

(b) the person enrolled in the unit in circumstances that make it a replacement unit within the meaning of the *tuition assurance requirements.

(1B) The Higher Education Provider Guidelines may, in setting out the tuition assurance requirements, specify, in relation to the re‑crediting of a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance in circumstances to which subsection (1A) applies:

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

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

(2) If, under subsection 104‑25(2) or 104‑27(2), *Open Universities Australia re‑credits a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance with an amount relating to *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study, Open Universities Australia must pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to the amount of FEE‑HELP assistance to which the person was entitled for the unit.

Part 3‑4—OS‑HELP assistance

Division 115—Introduction

115‑1 What this Part is about

Students may be entitled to OS‑HELP assistance for periods of study with overseas higher education institutions, if they meet certain requirements. In particular, their higher education provider must have selected them for OS‑HELP assistance.

The amount of OS‑HELP assistance is limited to a maximum amount for each period of study, and only 2 such periods can attract OS‑HELP assistance.

The purpose of OS‑HELP assistance is to help students based in Australia to do part of their course of study overseas.

Note: Amounts of assistance under this Part may form part of a person’s HELP debts that the Commonwealth recovers under Part 4‑2.

115‑5 The OS‑HELP Guidelines

*OS‑HELP assistance is also dealt with in the OS‑HELP Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The OS‑HELP Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Division 118—Who is entitled to OS‑HELP assistance?

118‑1 Entitlement to OS‑HELP assistance

(1) A student is entitled to *OS‑HELP assistance in relation to a period of 6 months if:

(a) the student meets the citizenship or residency requirements under section 118‑5; and

(b) the student has not received OS‑HELP assistance on more than one other occasion; and

(c) the student is enrolled in an *undergraduate course of study with a higher education provider (the home provider); and

(d) the student meets the prior study requirements under section 118‑7; and

(e) the student meets the overseas study requirements under section 118‑10; and

(f) on the completion of that study outside Australia, the student will have to complete units of study that have a total EFTSL value of at least 0.5 EFTSL in order to complete the course requirements for that course of study; and

(g) the student *meets the tax file number requirements (see section 187‑1); and

(h) the student has completed, signed and given to an *appropriate officer of the home provider a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to that course of study; and

(ha) the student has applied to the home provider for receipt of OS‑HELP assistance in relation to the period; and

(i) the home provider has selected the student for receipt of OS‑HELP assistance in relation to the period (see section 118‑15).

(2) However, the student is not entitled to *OS‑HELP assistance in relation to that period if:

(a) another higher education provider has granted OS‑HELP assistance to the student in relation to:

(i) that period; or

(ii) a period that overlaps with that period; or

(b) the student applies to the home provider for the assistance after the student has completed the study in relation to the period.

(3) To avoid doubt, the student may be outside Australia when the student applies to the home provider for receipt of *OS‑HELP assistance.

118‑5 Citizenship or residency requirements

The citizenship or residency requirements for *OS‑HELP assistance are that the student in question is:

(a) an Australian citizen; or

(b) a *permanent humanitarian visa holder.

118‑7 Prior study requirements

The prior study requirements for *OS‑HELP assistance are that:

(a) the student in question has completed units of study in Australia that count towards the course requirements for the *course of study; and

(b) the units of study have a total *EFTSL value of at least one *EFTSL; and

118‑10 Overseas study requirements

The overseas study requirements for *OS‑HELP assistance are that:

(a) the student in question:

(i) is enrolled in full‑time study with an overseas higher education institution or is enrolled with the home provider in full‑time study at an overseas campus or enrolled with another higher education provider in full‑time study at an overseas campus; and

(ii) will be outside Australia while undertaking that study; and

(b) the study commences on or after 1 January 2005; and

(c) the study outside Australia will count towards the course requirements of the *course of study in which the student is enrolled with the home provider.

118‑15 Selection of students for receipt of OS‑HELP assistance

(1) The OS‑HELP Guidelines may set out principles and procedures that higher education providers must follow in deciding whether to select students for receipt of *OS‑HELP assistance.

(3) Any decision by a higher education provider whether to select a student for receipt of *OS‑HELP assistance must be made in accordance with the OS‑HELP Guidelines.

(4) Without limiting the matters that may be included in the OS‑HELP Guidelines made for the purposes of subsection (3), those guidelines may deal with:

(a) the number of its students whom higher education providers may select for receipt of *OS‑HELP assistance; or

(b) how that number is to be determined.

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

121‑1 The amount of OS‑HELP assistance for a period

(1) The amount of *OS‑HELP assistance to which a student is entitled for a period of 6 months is the amount determined by the higher education provider to which the student applied for selection for receipt of the assistance.

(2) The amount must not exceed:

(a) the amount specified in the application; or

(b) the *maximum OS‑HELP amount for a period of 6 months.

(3) The amount must not be less than the higher education provider’s *minimum OS‑HELP amount, if the provider has a minimum OS‑HELP amount.

121‑5 Maximum OS‑HELP amount

The maximum OS‑HELP amount, for a period of 6 months, is $5,000.

Note: The maximum OS‑HELP amount is indexed under Part 5‑6.

121‑10 Minimum OS‑HELP amounts

(1) A higher education provider may determine, in writing, its *minimum OS‑HELP amount.

(2) The determination has effect until:

(a) it is replaced by a later determination; or

(b) it is revoked.

Division 124—How are amounts of OS‑HELP assistance paid?

Note: Part 5‑1 deals generally with payments by the Commonwealth under this Act.

124‑1 Amounts of OS‑HELP assistance are lent to students

(1) If a student is entitled to an amount of *OS‑HELP assistance for a period of 6 months, the Commonwealth must, as a benefit to the student, lend to the student the amount of OS‑HELP assistance.

(2) The higher education provider that selected the student for receipt of *OS‑HELP assistance in relation to the period must, on the Commonwealth’s behalf, pay to the student the amount lent.

(3) The Commonwealth must make payments to the higher education provider on account of amounts the provider pays under this section on the Commonwealth’s behalf.

Chapter 4—Repayment of loans

Division 129—Introduction

129‑1 What this Chapter is about

Loans that the Commonwealth makes to students under Chapter 3 are repayable under this Chapter. Loans that the Commonwealth makes to students under Schedule 1A are also repayable under this Chapter.

Each loan is incorporated into the person’s accumulated HELP debt (see Part 4‑1).

Under Part 4‑2, the accumulated debts can be repaid in 2 ways:

• a person may make voluntary repayments (which may attract a repayment bonus); or

• compulsory repayments (based on a person’s income) are made using the system for payment of income tax.

Part 4‑1—Indebtedness

Division 134—Introduction

134‑1 What this Part is about

A person incurs a HELP debt if he or she receives, as HECS‑HELP assistance, FEE‑HELP assistance or OS‑HELP assistance, a loan from the Commonwealth under Chapter 3.

A person also incurs a HELP debt if he or she receives, as VET FEE‑HELP assistance, a loan from the Commonwealth under Schedule 1A.

HELP debts are incorporated into the person’s accumulated HELP debt. This accumulated debt forms the basis of working out the amounts that the person is obliged to repay (see Part 4‑2).

Division 137—How do HELP debts arise?

137‑1 HELP debts

The following are HELP debts:

(a) *HECS‑HELP debts;

(b) *FEE‑HELP debts;

(d) *VET FEE‑HELP debts.

137‑5 HECS‑HELP debts

Incurring HECS‑HELP debts

(1) A person incurs a debt to the Commonwealth if, under section 96‑1 or 96‑5, the Commonwealth:

(a) makes a loan to the person; and

(b) uses the amount lent to make a payment in discharge of the person’s liability to pay his or her *student contribution amount for a unit of study.

The debt is a HECS‑HELP debt.

(2) The amount of the *HECS‑HELP debt is the amount of the loan.

When HECS‑HELP debts are incurred

(3) A *HECS‑HELP debt is taken to have been incurred by a person immediately after the *census date for the unit, whether or not the Commonwealth has made a payment in respect of the person’s *student contribution amount for the unit.

Remission of HECS‑HELP debts

(4) A person’s *HECS‑HELP debt in relation to a unit of study is taken to be remitted if the person’s *SLE is re‑credited under Division 79 in relation to the unit.

(5) A person’s *HECS‑HELP debt, in relation to a unit of study that wholly consists of *work experience in industry, is taken to be remitted if section 36‑22, 36‑22A or 36‑23 applies to the person (even if subsection 36‑22(2A) applies to the provider in relation to the person).

137‑10 FEE‑HELP debts

Incurring FEE‑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 person’s liability to pay his or her *tuition fee for a unit of study.

The debt is a FEE‑HELP debt.

(2) The amount of the *FEE‑HELP debt is:

(a) if the loan relates to *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study that forms part of an *undergraduate course of study—an amount equal to 125% of the loan; or

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply—the amount of the loan.

When FEE‑HELP debts are incurred

(3) A *FEE‑HELP debt is taken to have been incurred by a person immediately after the *census date for the unit, whether or not the Commonwealth has made a payment in respect of the person’s *tuition fee for the unit.

Remission of FEE‑HELP debts

(4) A person’s *FEE‑HELP debt in relation to a unit of study is taken to be remitted if the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance is re‑credited under section 104‑25, 104‑27 or 104‑42 in relation to the unit.

Note: The debt is taken to be remitted even if the person’s FEE‑HELP balance is not increased by an amount equal to the amount re‑credited.

137‑15 OS‑HELP debts

Incurring OS‑HELP debts

(1) A person incurs a debt to the Commonwealth if, under section 124‑1, the Commonwealth makes a loan to the person. The debt is an OS‑HELP debt.

(2) The amount of the *OS‑HELP debt is an amount equal to the amount of the loan.

When OS‑HELP debts are incurred

(3) The *OS‑HELP debt is taken to have been incurred on the day on which a higher education provider, on the Commonwealth’s behalf, paid the amount lent to the person.

137‑18 VET FEE‑HELP debts

Incurring VET FEE‑HELP debts

(1) A person incurs a debt to the Commonwealth if, under clause 55 of Schedule 1A, the Commonwealth:

(a) makes a loan to the person; and

(b) uses the amount lent to make a payment in discharge of the person’s liability to pay his or her *VET tuition fee for a *VET unit of study.

The debt is a VET FEE‑HELP debt.

(2) The amount of the *VET FEE‑HELP debt is:

(a) 120% of the loan; or

(b) if the *VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines specify a lesser percentage of the loan for the person—that lesser percentage of the loan.

Note: For specification by class, see subsection 13(3) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

When VET FEE‑HELP debts are incurred

(3) A *VET FEE‑HELP debt is taken to have been incurred by a person immediately after the *census date for the unit, whether or not the Commonwealth has made a payment in respect of the person’s *VET tuition fee for the unit.

Remission of VET FEE‑HELP debts

(4) A person’s *VET FEE‑HELP debt in relation to a *VET unit of study is taken to be remitted if the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance is re‑credited under clause 46, 47 or 51 of Schedule 1A in relation to the unit.

Note: The debt is taken to be remitted even if the person’s FEE‑HELP balance is not increased by an amount equal to the amount re‑credited.

137‑20 HELP debt discharged by death

Upon the death of a person who owes a *HELP debt to the Commonwealth, the debt is taken to have been paid.

Note: HELP debts are not provable in bankruptcy: see subsection 82(3AB) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966.

Division 140—How are accumulated HELP debts worked out?

Subdivision 140‑A—Outline of this Division

140‑1 Outline of this Division

(1) There are 2 stages to working out a person’s *accumulated HELP debt for a financial year.

Stage 1—Former accumulated HELP debt

(2) The *former accumulated HELP debt is worked out by adjusting the preceding financial year’s *accumulated HELP debt to take account of:

(a) changes in the Consumer Price Index; and

(b) the *HELP debts that he or she incurs during the last 6 months of the preceding financial year; and

(d) *compulsory repayment amounts in respect of the debt; and

(e) if compulsory repayment amounts are not required to be paid in respect of the debt—the *HECS‑HELP benefit (if any).

(See Subdivision 140‑B.)

Stage 2—Accumulated HELP debt

(3) The person’s *accumulated HELP debt is worked out from:

(a) his or her *former accumulated HELP debt; and

(b) the *HELP debts that he or she incurs during the first 6 months of the financial year; and

(See Subdivision 140‑C.)

Note: Incurring that financial year’s accumulated HELP debt discharges the previous accumulated HELP debt and HELP debts under this Part: see section 140‑35.

Subdivision 140‑B—Former accumulated HELP debts

140‑5 Working out a former accumulated HELP debt

(1) A person’s former accumulated HELP debt, in relation to the person’s *accumulated HELP debt for a financial year, is worked out by multiplying:

(a) the amount worked out using the following method statement; by

(b) the *HELP debt indexation factor for 1 June in that financial year.

Method statement

Step 1. Take the person’s *accumulated HELP debt for the immediately preceding financial year. (This amount is taken to be zero if the person has no accumulated HELP debt for that financial year.)

Step 2. Take the HELP debts (if any) that the person incurred during the last 6 months of the immediately preceding financial year. Group them according to whether the debts are in relation to:

(a) units undertaken with a higher education provider that formed part of one particular *course of study with that provider; or

(b) units undertaken with a higher education provider that formed part of one particular course of study with another higher education provider; or

(d) units access to which was provided by *Open Universities Australia; or

(e) *OS‑HELP assistance, the entitlement to which relates to the person’s enrolment in an *undergraduate course of study with one particular higher education provider (see paragraph 118‑1(1)(c)); or

(f) units undertaken with a *VET provider that formed part of one particular *VET course of study with that provider; or

(g) units undertaken with a VET provider that formed part of one particular VET course of study with another VET provider.

Note: There will be more than one group of debts under paragraph (a) if the person incurred debts in relation to more than one course of study with a provider. Similarly, there could be more than one group of debts under paragraph (b), (c), (e), (f) or (g).

Step 2A. Work out the total for each group of debts. If the total for a particular group is an amount consisting of a number of whole dollars and a number of cents, the total for that group is taken to be the number of whole dollars. If the total for a group is an amount of less than one dollar, the total for the group is taken to be zero.

Step 2B. If there is more than one group of debts for the person, add together the totals for all of the groups.

Step 3. Subtract the sum of the amounts by which the person’s debts referred to above are reduced because of any *voluntary repayments that have been made during the period:

(a) starting on 1 June in the immediately preceding financial year; and

(b) ending immediately before the next 1 June.

Step 4. Subtract the sum of all of the person’s *compulsory repayment amounts that:

(a) were assessed during that period (excluding any assessed as a result of a *return given before that period); or

(b) were assessed after the end of that period as a result of a return given before the end of that period.

Step 4A. In respect of that period, subtract the amount of *HECS‑HELP benefit (if any) determined, in respect of the person, by the *Commissioner under section 157‑20 for an *income year, if the person did not have any *compulsory repayment amounts for that year.

Step 5. Subtract the sum of the amounts by which any *compulsory repayment amount of the person is increased (whether as a result of an increase in the person’s *taxable income of an *income year or otherwise) by an amendment of an assessment made during that period.

Step 6. Add the sum of the amounts by which any *compulsory repayment amount of the person is reduced (whether as a result of a reduction in the person’s *taxable income of an *income year or otherwise) by an amendment of an assessment made during that period.

Example: Lorraine is studying part‑time for a Degree of Bachelor of Communications. On 1 June 2007 Lorraine had an accumulated HELP debt of $15,000. She incurred a HELP debt of $1,500 on 31 March 2007. She made a voluntary repayment of $550 (which includes a voluntary repayment bonus of $50) on 1 May 2008. Lorraine lodged her 2006‑07 income tax return and a compulsory repayment amount of $3,000 was assessed and notified on her income tax notice of assessment on 3 September 2007.

To work out Lorraine’s former accumulated HELP debt before indexation on 1 June 2008:

Step 1: Take the previous accumulated HELP debt of $15,000 on 1 June 2007.

Step 2: Add the HELP debt of $1,500 incurred on 31 March 2007.

Step 3: Subtract the $550 voluntary repayment made on 1 May 2008.

Step 4: Subtract the $3,000 compulsory repayment assessed on 3 September 2007.

Step 4A: Does not apply because Lorraine does not satisfy the eligibility requirements for the HECS‑HELP benefit.

Steps 5 and 6: Do not apply because since 1 June 2007 Lorraine had no amendments to any assessment.

Lorraine’s former accumulated HELP debt before indexation on 1 June 2008 is:

If, for example, the indexation factor for 1 June 2008 were 1.050, then the former accumulated HELP debt would be:

(2) For the purposes of this section, an assessment, or an amendment of an assessment, is taken to have been made on the day specified in the notice of assessment, or notice of amended assessment, as the date of issue of that notice.

(3) If a determination by the *Commissioner under section 157‑20 is reviewed under Part 5‑7:

(a) the reference in step 4A of the method statement in subsection (1) to the determination includes a reference to the decision on review; and

(b) to the extent that the decision on review affects any step in the method statement—the decision on review must be taken into account in working out a person’s *former accumulated HELP debt under this section.

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:

Method statement

Step 1. Add:

(a) the *index number for the *quarter ending on 31 March in that financial year; and

(b) the index numbers for the 3 quarters that immediately preceded that quarter.

Step 2. Add:

(a) the *index number for the *quarter ending on 31 March in the immediately preceding financial year; and

(b) the index numbers for the 3 quarters that immediately preceded that quarter.

Step 3. The HELP debt indexation factor for 1 June in the financial year is the amount under step 1 divided by the amount under step 2.

(2) For the purposes of rounding a *HELP debt indexation factor, the third decimal place is rounded up if, apart from the rounding:

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

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

140‑15 Index numbers

(1) The index number for a *quarter is the All Groups Consumer Price Index number, being the weighted average of the 8 capital cities, published by the *Australian Statistician in respect of that quarter.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), if, at any time before or after the commencement of this Act:

(a) the *Australian Statistician has published or publishes an *index number in respect of a *quarter; and

(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 for the purposes of this section.

(3) If, at any time before or after the commencement of this Act, the *Australian Statistician has changed or changes the reference base for the Consumer Price Index, then, in applying this section after the change took place or takes place, have regard only to *index numbers published in terms of the new reference base.

140‑20 Publishing HELP debt indexation factors

The *Commissioner must cause to be published before 1 June in each financial year the *HELP debt indexation factor for that 1 June.

Subdivision 140‑C—Accumulated HELP debts

140‑25 Working out an accumulated HELP debt

(1) A person’s accumulated HELP debt, for a financial year, is worked out as follows:

where:

former accumulated HELP debt is the person’s *former accumulated HELP debt in relation to that *accumulated HELP debt.

HELP debt repayments is the sum of all of the *voluntary repayments (if any) paid, on or after 1 July in the financial year and before 1 June in that year, in reduction of the *HELP debts incurred in that year.

HELP debts incurred means the amount worked out using the method statement in subsection (1A).

Example: Paula is studying part‑time for a Degree of Bachelor of Science. On 1 June 2009, her former accumulated HELP debt was worked out using Subdivision 140‑B to be $20,000. She incurred a HELP debt of $1,500 on 31 August 2008. No repayments have been made in the 12 months from 1 June 2008.

Paula’s accumulated HELP debt on 1 June 2009 is worked out by taking her former accumulated HELP debt of $20,000 and adding the $1,500 HELP debt incurred on 31 August 2008. That is:

(1A) For the purposes of the definition of HELP debts incurred in subsection (1), use the following method statement:

Step 1. Take the HELP debts (if any) that the person incurred during the first 6 months of the financial year. Group them according to whether the debts are in relation to:

(a) units undertaken with a higher education provider that formed part of one particular *course of study with that provider; or

(b) units undertaken with a higher education provider that formed part of one particular course of study with another higher education provider; or

(d) units access to which was provided by *Open Universities Australia; or

(f) units undertaken with a *VET provider that formed part of one particular *VET course of study with that provider; or

(g) units undertaken with a VET provider that formed part of one particular VET course of study with another VET provider.

Step 2. Work out the total for each group of debts. If the total for a particular group is an amount consisting of a number of whole dollars and a number of cents, the total for that group is taken to be the number of whole dollars. If the total for a group is an amount of less than one dollar, the total for the group is taken to be zero.

Step 3. If there is more than one group of debts for the person, add together the totals for all of the groups.

(2) The person incurs the *accumulated HELP debt on 1 June in the financial year.

(3) The first financial year for which a person can have an *accumulated HELP debt is the financial year starting on 1 July 2005.

140‑30 Rounding of amounts

(1) If, apart from this section, a person’s *accumulated HELP debt would be an amount consisting of a number of whole dollars and a number of cents, disregard the number of cents.

(2) If, apart from this section, a person’s *accumulated HELP debt would be an amount of less than one dollar, the person’s accumulated HELP debt is taken to be zero.

140‑35 Accumulated HELP debt discharges earlier debts

(1) The *accumulated HELP debt that a person incurs on 1 June in a financial year discharges, or discharges the unpaid part of:

(a) any *HELP debt that the person incurred during the calendar year immediately preceding that day; and

(b) any accumulated HELP debt that the person incurred on the immediately preceding 1 June.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) affects the application of Division 137, Subdivision 140‑B or section 140‑25.

140‑40 Accumulated HELP debt discharged by death

(1) Upon the death of a person who has an *accumulated HELP debt, the accumulated HELP debt is taken to be discharged.

(2) To avoid doubt, this section does not affect any *compulsory repayment amounts required to be paid in respect of the *accumulated HELP debt, whether or not those amounts were assessed before the person’s death.

Note: Accumulated HELP debts are not provable in bankruptcy: see subsection 82(3AB) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966.

Part 4‑2—Discharge of indebtedness

Division 148—Introduction

148‑1 What this Part is about

A person who owes a debt to the Commonwealth under this Chapter may make voluntary repayments. In some cases these may attract a 10% repayment bonus.

The person is required to make repayments, of amounts based on his or her income, if that income is above a particular amount. The Commissioner of Taxation makes assessments of repayment amounts, which are collected in the same way as amounts of income tax.

Repayment amounts may be reduced by the HECS‑HELP benefit. To receive the benefit, a person must satisfy eligibility requirements and apply for it. The Commissioner determines whether a person is eligible for the benefit, and if so, the amount of the benefit.

148‑5 The HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines

The *HECS‑HELP benefit is also dealt with in the HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Division 151—How is indebtedness voluntarily discharged?

151‑1 Voluntary repayments in respect of debts

(1) A person may at any time make a payment in respect of a debt that the person owes to the Commonwealth under this Chapter.

(2) The payment must be made to the *Commissioner.

151‑5 Voluntary repayment bonus relating to HELP debts

(1) The effect that a payment under section 151‑1 has on a *HELP debt or an *accumulated HELP debt that a person (the debtor) owes to the Commonwealth under this Chapter is the effect specified in subsection (2) or (3) of this section if the amount of the payment is:

(a) $500 or more; or

(b) sufficient to be taken under subsection (2) to pay off the total debt.

Total debt paid off

(2) The debtor is taken to pay off the total debt if the payment in respect of the debt is equal to, or exceeds, an amount worked out as follows:

Example: The total of Andrew’s HELP debts and accumulated HELP debt is $2,500. To pay off his debt to the Commonwealth he only needs to repay $2,272 ($2,500 divided by 1.1 is $2,272, rounding down to the nearest dollar).

Part of debt paid off

(3) If the debtor is not taken to pay off the total debt, the outstanding amount of the debt is to be reduced by an amount worked out as follows:

Example: The total of Helen’s HELP debts and accumulated HELP debt is $4,500. She makes a voluntary repayment of $1,500. With a 10% bonus, the value of her repayment is $1,650. The total amount that she owes to the Commonwealth is reduced to $2,850.

(4) If an amount worked out using the formula in subsection (2) or (3) is an amount made up of dollars and cents, round the amount down to the nearest dollar.

151‑10 Application of voluntary repayments

(1) Any money a person pays under this Division to meet the person’s debts to the Commonwealth under this Chapter is to be applied in payment of those debts as the person directs at the time of the payment.

(2) If the person has not given any directions, or the directions given do not adequately deal with the matter, any money available is to be applied as follows:

(a) first, in discharge or reduction of any *accumulated HELP debt of the person;

(b) secondly, in discharge or reduction of:

(i) any *HELP debt of the person; or

(ii) if there is more than one such debt, those debts in the order in which they were incurred.

151‑15 Refunding of payments

If:

(a) a person pays an amount to the Commonwealth under this Division; and

(b) the amount exceeds the sum of:

(i) the amount required to discharge the total debt that the person owed to the Commonwealth under this Chapter; and

(ii) the total amount of the person’s primary tax debts (within the meaning of Part IIB of the Taxation Administration Act 1953);

the Commonwealth must refund to the person an amount equal to that excess.

Note: Interest is payable if the Commonwealth is late in paying refunds: see Part IIIA of the Taxation (Interest on Overpayments and Early Payments) Act 1983.

Division 154—How is indebtedness compulsorily discharged?

Subdivision 154‑A—Liability to repay amounts

154‑1 Liability to repay amounts

(1) Subject to section 154‑3, if:

(a) a person’s *repayment income for an *income year exceeds the *minimum repayment income for the income year; and

(b) on 1 June immediately preceding the making of an assessment in respect of the person’s income of that income year, the person had an *accumulated HELP debt;

the person is liable to pay to the Commonwealth, in accordance with this Division, the amount worked out under section 154‑20 in reduction of the person’s *repayable debt.

(2) A person is not liable under this section to pay an amount for an *income year if, under section 8 of the Medicare Levy Act 1986:

(a) no *Medicare levy is payable by the person on the person’s *taxable income for the income year; or

(b) the amount of the Medicare levy payable by the person on the person’s taxable income for the income year is reduced.

154‑3 Reduction of liability by HECS‑HELP benefit

If the *Commissioner has determined, in respect of a person, an amount of *HECS‑HELP benefit under section 157‑20 for an *income year, the amount that the person is liable to pay under section 154‑1 for that year is reduced by the amount of the benefit.

Note 1: The calculation of a person’s compulsory repayment amount under section 154‑1 remains unaffected. A person’s accumulated HELP debt is reduced by compulsory repayment amounts under Division 140. The HECS‑HELP benefit reduces a person’s liability that arises under section 154‑1, so that the amount that the person will actually pay (if any) will be less than the compulsory repayment amount calculated.

Note 2: If a determination is reviewed, a reference to the determination includes a reference to the decision on review, see section 157‑30.

154‑5 Repayment income

(1) A person’s repayment income for an *income year is an amount equal to the sum of:

(a) the person’s *taxable income for the income year; and

(b) the person’s total net investment loss (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997) for the income year; and

(i) is an employee (within the meaning of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986); and

(ii) has a reportable fringe benefits total (within the meaning of that Act) for the income year;

the reportable fringe benefits total for the income year; and

(d) the person’s *exempt foreign income for the income year; and

(e) the person’s reportable superannuation contributions (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997) for the income year.

(4) The person’s exempt foreign income is the total amount (if any) by which the person’s income that is exempt from tax under section 23AF or 23AG of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 exceeds the total amount of losses and outgoings that the person incurs in deriving that exempt income.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), disregard any capital losses and outgoings.

154‑10 Minimum repayment income

The minimum repayment income for an *income year is:

(a) for the 2005‑06 income year—$36,184; or

(b) for a later income year—that amount as indexed under section 154‑25.

154‑15 Repayable debt for an income year

(1) A person’s repayable debt for an *income year is:

(a) the person’s *accumulated HELP debt referred to in paragraph 154‑1(1)(b) in relation to that income year; or

(b) if one or more amounts:

(i) have been paid in reduction of that debt; or

(ii) have been assessed under section 154‑35 to be payable in respect of that debt;

the amount (if any) remaining after deducting from that debt the amount, or sum of the amounts, so paid or assessed to be payable.

(2) A reference in paragraph (1)(b) to an amount assessed to be payable is, if the amount has been increased or reduced by an amendment of the relevant assessment, a reference to the increased amount or the reduced amount.

Subdivision 154‑B—Amounts payable to the Commonwealth

154‑20 Amounts payable to the Commonwealth

The amount that a person is liable to pay under section 154‑1, in respect of an *income year, is an amount equal to so much of the person’s *repayable debt for the income year as does not exceed the percentage of the person’s *repayment income that is applicable under the following table:

Applicable percentages
Item	If the person’s repayment income is:	The percentage applicable is:
1	More than the minimum repayment income, but less than: (a) for the 2005‑06 income year—$40,307; or (b) for a later income year—that amount indexed under section 154‑25.	4%
2	More than the amount under item 1, but less than: (a) for the 2005‑06 *income year—$44,428; or (b) for a later income year—that amount indexed under section 154‑25.	4.5%
3	More than the amount under item 2, but less than: (a) for the 2005‑06 *income year—$46,763; or (b) for a later income year—that amount indexed under section 154‑25.	5%
4	More than the amount under item 3, but less than: (a) for the 2005‑06 *income year—$50,267; or (b) for a later income year—that amount indexed under section 154‑25.	5.5%
5	More than the amount under item 4, but less than: (a) for the 2005‑06 *income year—$54,440; or (b) for a later income year—that amount indexed under section 154‑25.	6%
6	More than the amount under item 5, but less than: (a) for the 2005‑06 *income year—$57,305; or (b) for a later income year—that amount indexed under section 154‑25.	6.5%
7	More than the amount under item 6, but less than: (a) for the 2005‑06 *income year—$63,063; or (b) for a later income year—that amount indexed under section 154‑25.	7%
8	More than the amount under item 7, but less than: (a) for the 2005‑06 *income year—$67,200; or (b) for a later income year—that amount indexed under section 154‑25.	7.5%
9	More than the amount under item 8.	8%

154‑25 Indexation

(1) The following amounts for the 2006‑07 *income year, or a later income year:

(a) the *minimum repayment income;

(b) the amounts referred to in paragraph (a) of the second column of items 1 to 8 of the table in section 154‑20;

are indexed by multiplying the corresponding amounts for the 2005‑06 income year by the amount worked out using the formula:

(2) AWE, for an *income year, is the number of dollars in the sum of:

(a) the average weekly earnings for all employees (total earnings, seasonally adjusted) for the *reference period in the *quarter ending on 31 December immediately before the income year, as published by the *Australian Statistician; and

(b) the average weekly earnings for all employees for the reference period in each of the 3 quarters immediately before that quarter, as published by the Australian Statistician.

(3) The reference period in a particular *quarter in a year is the period described by the *Australian Statistician as the pay period ending on or before a specified day that is the third Friday of the middle month of that quarter.

(4) If an amount worked out under this section is an amount made up of dollars and cents, round the amount down to the nearest dollar.

154‑30 Publishing indexed amounts

The Minister must cause to be published in the Gazette, before the start of the 2006‑07 *income year or a later income year:

(a) the *minimum repayment income; and

(b) the amounts referred to in paragraph (b) of the second column of items 1 to 8 of the table in section 154‑20;

for that income year.

Subdivision 154‑C—Assessments

154‑35 Commissioner may make assessments

The *Commissioner may, from any information in the Commissioner’s possession, whether from a *return or otherwise, make an assessment of:

(a) the person’s *accumulated HELP debt on 1 June immediately before the making of the assessment; and

(b) the amount required to be paid in respect of that debt under section 154‑1.

Note: The amount that the person will actually pay (if any) will be less than the amount mentioned in paragraph (b) if the person receives the HECS‑HELP benefit.

154‑40 Notification of notices of assessment of tax

(1) 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 assessment under section 154‑35 of this Act of the amounts referred to in that section; and

notice of the assessment under that section may be served by specifying the amounts concerned in the notice referred to in paragraph (a).

(2) If the *Commissioner has determined, in respect of the person, an amount of *HECS‑HELP benefit under section 157‑20 for the *income year, the notice of assessment for that year may also refer to the amount of the benefit.

Note: If a determination is reviewed, a reference to the determination includes a reference to the decision on review, see section 157‑30.

154‑45 Commissioner may defer making assessments

(1) A person may apply in writing to the *Commissioner for deferral of the making of an assessment in respect of the person under section 154‑35.

(2) The application must specify:

(a) the *income year for which the deferral is being sought; and

(b) the reasons for seeking the deferral.

(3) The *income year specified in the application must be:

(a) the income year in which the person makes the application; or

(b) the immediately preceding income year; or

(4) The *Commissioner may, on application by a person under this section, defer making an assessment in respect of the person under section 154‑35 if the Commissioner is of the opinion that:

(a) if the assessment were made, payment of the assessed amount would cause serious hardship to the person; or

(b) there are other special reasons that make it fair and reasonable to defer making the assessment.

(5) The *Commissioner may defer making the assessment for any period that he or she thinks appropriate.

(6) The *Commissioner must, as soon as practicable after an application is made under this section:

(a) consider the matter to which the application relates; and

(b) notify the applicant of the Commissioner’s decision on the application.

Note: Deferrals of making assessments, or refusals of applications, are reviewable under Part 5‑7.

154‑50 Commissioner may amend assessments

(1) A person may apply in writing to the *Commissioner for an amendment of an assessment made in respect of the person under section 154‑35 so that:

(a) the amount payable under the assessment is reduced; or

(b) no amount is payable under the assessment.

(2) The application:

(a) must be made no later than 2 years after the end of the *income year to which the assessment relates; or

(b) must specify the reasons justifying a later application.

(3) The *Commissioner may, on application by a person under this section, amend an assessment made in respect of the person under section 154‑35 so that:

(a) the amount payable under the assessment is reduced; or

(b) no amount is payable under the assessment;

if the Commissioner is of the opinion that:

(d) there are other special reasons that make it fair and reasonable to make the amendment.

(4) The *Commissioner must, as soon as practicable after an application is made under this section:

(a) consider the matter to which the application relates; and

(b) notify the applicant of the Commissioner’s decision on the application.

Note: Amendments of assessments, or refusals of applications, are reviewable under Part 5‑7.

154‑55 Higher education providers etc. to provide information to Commissioner

(1) A higher education provider must give to the *Commissioner, if asked by the Commissioner to do so, any information:

(a) that is in its possession relating to students who have applied for:

(i) *HECS‑HELP assistance or *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study; or

(ii) *OS‑HELP assistance in relation to a period of 6 months; and

(b) that the Commissioner reasonably requires for the purposes of this Chapter.

(2) *Open Universities Australia must give to the *Commissioner, if asked by the Commissioner to do so, any information:

(a) that is in its possession relating to students who have applied for *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study; and

(b) that the Commissioner reasonably requires for the purposes of this Chapter.

Subdivision 154‑D—Application of tax legislation

154‑60 Returns, assessments, collection and recovery

Subject to this Part:

(a) Part IV of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936; and

(aa) Division 5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997; and

(b) Part 4‑15 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953;

apply, so far as they are capable of application, in relation to a *compulsory repayment amount of a person as if it were *income tax assessed to be payable by a taxpayer by an assessment made under Part IV of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.

154‑65 Charges and civil penalties for failing to meet obligations

(1) Part 4‑25 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 has effect as if:

(a) any *compulsory repayment amount of a person were *income tax payable by the person in respect of the *income year in respect of which the assessment of that debt was made; and

(b) this Chapter, and Part 5‑5, were *income tax laws.

(2) Subsection (1) does not have the effect of making a person liable to a penalty for any act or omission that happened before the commencement of this subsection.

154‑70 Pay as you go (PAYG) withholding

Part 2‑5 (other than section 12‑55 and Subdivisions 12‑E, 12‑F and 12‑G) in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 applies, so far as it is capable of application, in relation to the collection of amounts of a *compulsory repayment amount of a person as if the compulsory repayment amount were *income tax.

154‑80 Pay as you go (PAYG) instalments

Division 45 in Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 applies, so far as it is capable of application, in relation to the collection of a *compulsory repayment amount of a person as if the compulsory repayment amount were *income tax.

154‑85 Reduction of compulsory repayment amount by HECS‑HELP benefit

(1) This section applies if the *Commissioner has determined, in respect of a person, an amount of *HECS‑HELP benefit under section 157‑20 for an *income year.

(2) For the purposes of this Subdivision, a *compulsory repayment amount of a person in respect of an *income year is to be reduced by the amount of *HECS‑HELP benefit determined by the *Commissioner in respect of the person for that year.

Note: If a determination is reviewed, a reference to the determination includes a reference to the decision on review, see section 157‑30.

Division 157—HECS‑HELP benefit

Subdivision 157‑A—Who is eligible for the HECS‑HELP benefit?

157‑1 Application for the HECS‑HELP benefit

A person may apply to the *Commissioner for the *HECS‑HELP benefit in respect of an *income year if:

(a) the HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines set out eligibility requirements for the HECS‑HELP benefit; and

(b) the person satisfies those eligibility requirements.

157‑5 Form of application

An application for the *HECS‑HELP benefit must:

(a) be in writing; and

(b) be in the form required by the HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines; and

157‑10 Providing application to Commissioner

An application must be made in the manner, and within the time, specified in the HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines.

Subdivision 157‑B—What is the amount of the HECS‑HELP benefit?

157‑15 Amount of HECS‑HELP benefit

(1) The amount of the *HECS‑HELP benefit for an *income year is the amount specified in, or worked out in accordance with, the HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines.

(2) If an amount is required to be paid under section 154‑1 for an *income year, the amount of the *HECS‑HELP benefit for that year must not be more than the amount required to be paid for that year.

Subdivision 157‑C—Determination of applications

157‑20 Commissioner must determine application

(1) If a person applies for the *HECS‑HELP benefit for an *income year, the *Commissioner must determine:

(a) whether the person is eligible for the benefit for the year; and

(b) if the person is eligible—the amount of the benefit, worked out in accordance with the HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines.

Note: A determination is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

(2) A determination made under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

157‑25 Notifying applicant of determination

The *Commissioner must notify the applicant, in writing, of his or her determination. The notice must be given within the time specified in the HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines.

Note: Notification may also be given to a person by referring to the amount of HECS‑HELP benefit in the person’s notice of assessment, see subsection 154‑40(2).

157‑30 Review of determinations

If a determination by the *Commissioner under section 157‑20 is reviewed under Part 5‑7, a reference in this Part (other than this Division) to the determination includes a reference to the decision on review.

Chapter 5—Administration

Division 159—Introduction

159‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter deals with the following administrative matters:

• payments made by the Commonwealth under this Act (see Part 5‑1);

• administrative requirements that are imposed on higher education providers (see Part 5‑2);

• electronic communication between higher education providers and students (see Part 5‑3);

• protection of personal information gained in the administration of Chapters 3 and 4 (see Part 5‑4);

• tax file numbers of students (see Part 5‑5);

• indexation of certain amounts (see Part 5‑6);

• reconsideration and administrative review of certain decisions (see Part 5‑7).

159‑5 The Administration Guidelines

Administrative matters are also dealt with in the Administration Guidelines. The provisions of this Chapter may indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The Administration Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Part 5‑1—Payments by the Commonwealth

Division 164—Payments by the Commonwealth

164‑1 What this Part is about

This Part contains general provisions relating to how the Commonwealth makes payments under this Act.

164‑5 Time and manner of payments

(1) Amounts payable by the Commonwealth to a higher education provider or other body under this Act are to be paid in such a way, including payment in instalments, as the Minister determines.

(2) Payments of amounts payable by the Commonwealth to a higher education provider or other body under this Act are to be made at such times as the *Secretary determines.

164‑10 Advances

(1) The *Secretary may determine that an advance is to be made to a higher education provider or other body on account of an amount that is expected to become payable under a provision of this Act to the provider or other body.

(1A) If the advance exceeds the amount that becomes payable, an amount equal to the excess may be:

(a) deducted from any amount that is payable, or to be paid, to the provider or body under this Act; or

(b) recovered by the Commonwealth from the provider or body as a debt due to the Commonwealth.

(1B) If the provider or other body uses the advance for a purpose other than that for which it was given, an amount equal to the advance may be:

(a) deducted from any amount that is payable, or to be paid, to the provider or body under this Act; or

(b) recovered by the Commonwealth from the provider or body as a debt due to the Commonwealth.

(2) The conditions that would be applicable to a payment of the amount on account of which the advance is made are applicable to the advance.

(3) This section does not affect the Minister’s power to determine under section 33‑40 that an advance is payable to a higher education provider.

164‑15 Overpayments of Commonwealth grants

An overpayment of an amount made to a higher education provider or other body under Part 2‑2, 2‑3 or 2‑4 may, in whole or part, be:

(a) deducted from any amount that is payable, or to be paid, to that provider or body under Part 2‑2, 2‑3 or 2‑4; or

(b) recovered by the Commonwealth from that provider or body as a debt due to the Commonwealth.

164‑17 Overpayments of Commonwealth scholarships to students

An overpayment of an amount paid, or purportedly paid, to a person by way of a *Commonwealth scholarship under section 46‑13 may, in whole or part, be:

(a) deducted from any amount that is payable, or to be paid, to that person under that section; or

(b) recovered by the Commonwealth from that person as a debt due to the Commonwealth.

164‑18 Repayment of Commonwealth scholarships paid to students—breach of condition

(1) This section applies if:

(a) an amount is paid to a person by way of a *Commonwealth scholarship under section 46‑13; and

(b) the person breaches a condition of the Commonwealth scholarship.

(2) The amount may, in whole or part, be:

(a) deducted from any amount that is payable, or to be paid, to that person under that section; or

(b) recovered by the Commonwealth from that person as a debt due to the Commonwealth.

164‑20 Rounding of amounts

If an amount payable by the Commonwealth under this Act is an amount made up of dollars and cents, round the amount down to the nearest dollar.

Part 5‑2—Administrative requirements on higher education providers

Division 169—Administrative requirements on higher education providers

169‑1 What this Part is about

This Part imposes a number of administrative requirements on higher education providers.

Note: It is a quality and accountability requirement that a higher education provider comply with this Act: see section 19‑65.

169‑5 Notices

Who gets a notice?

(1) A higher education provider must give such notices as are required by the Administration Guidelines to a person:

(a) who is enrolled with the provider for a unit of study; and

(b) who:

(i) is seeking Commonwealth assistance under this Act for the unit; or

(ii) is a *Commonwealth supported student for the unit.

Contents of notice

(2) A notice must contain the information set out in the Administration Guidelines as information that must be provided in such a notice.

Date by which notice to be given

(3) A notice must be given within the period set out in the Administration Guidelines.

Purpose and effect of notice

(4) A notice under this section is given for the purpose only of providing information to a person. Any liability or entitlement of a person under this Act (including the person’s *Student Learning Entitlement) is not affected by:

(a) the failure of a higher education provider to give a notice under this section; or

(b) the failure of a higher education provider to give such a notice by the date required under the Administration Guidelines; or

169‑10 Correction of notices

Higher education provider to correct notice

(1) If, after giving a person a notice under section 169‑5, a higher education provider is satisfied that a material particular in the notice was not, or has ceased to be, correct, the provider must give a further written notice to the person setting out the correct particular.

Person may request correction of notice

(2) A person who receives a notice from a higher education provider under section 169‑5 may give to the provider a written request for the notice to be corrected in respect of a material particular if the person considers that the notice was not, or has ceased to be, correct in that particular.

(3) The request must be given to an *appropriate officer of the provider either:

(a) within 14 days after the day the notice was given; or

(b) within such further period as the provider allows for the giving of the request.

(4) The request must:

(a) specify the particular in the notice that the person considers is incorrect; and

(b) specify the reasons the person has for considering that the particular is incorrect.

(5) The making of the request does not affect any liability or entitlement of the person under this Act (including the person’s *Student Learning Entitlement).

Higher education provider to process request

(6) If a higher education provider receives a request under this section the provider must, as soon as practicable:

(a) determine the matter to which the request relates; and

(b) notify the person in writing of the provider’s determination; and

(c) if the provider determines that a material particular in the notice was not, or has ceased to be, correct—give a further notice under subsection (1).

169‑15 Charging student contribution amounts and tuition fees

(1) A higher education provider:

(a) must require any student who:

(i) is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study; and

(ii) is enrolling in the unit with the provider; and

(iii) is not an *exempt student for the unit;

to pay to the provider the student’s *student contribution amount for the unit; and

(b) must not require the student to pay any of his or her *tuition fee or any other *fee for the unit.

(1A) Despite subsection (1), a higher education provider must not require a student who is enrolling in a unit in circumstances that make it a replacement unit within the meaning of the *tuition assurance requirements to pay to the provider the student’s *student contribution amount for the unit.

(2) A higher education provider:

(a) must require any *domestic student who:

(i) is not a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to a unit of study; and

(ii) is enrolling in the unit with the provider; and

(iii) is not an *exempt student for the unit;

to pay to the provider the student’s *tuition fee for the unit; and

(b) must not require any domestic student to pay any other *fee, or any of his or her *student contribution amount, for the unit.

(2A) Despite subsection (2), a higher education provider must not require a domestic student who is enrolling in a unit in circumstances that make it a replacement unit within the meaning of the *tuition assurance requirements to pay to the provider the student’s *tuition fee for the unit.

(3) However (unless subsection (4) applies), a higher education provider must repay to a person any payment of his or her *student contribution amount or *tuition fee for a unit of study that the person made on or before the *census date for the unit if the person is no longer enrolled in the unit at the end of the census date.

Note: Other provisions about student contribution amounts and tuition fees are set out in Subdivision 19‑F and Parts 2‑2 and 3‑2.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if:

(a) the student is no longer enrolled in the unit at the end of the census date because the provider has ceased to provide the unit as a result of ceasing to provide the course of which the unit formed part; and

(b) the *tuition assurance requirements applied to the provider at the time the provider ceased to provide the unit; and

169‑20 Exempt students

(1) The Minister may determine in writing that all students, or students of a specified kind, are exempt from payment of their *student contribution amounts and *tuition fees for:

(a) any units of study undertaken as part of a specified *course of study; or

(b) any units of study undertaken as part of a course of study of a specified kind.

A student, or a student of such a kind, (as the case requires) is an exempt student for those units.

(2) The Administration Guidelines may provide that:

(a) in all circumstances; or

(b) in the circumstances specified in those guidelines;

all students are exempt from payment of their *student contribution amounts and *tuition fees for any units of study that wholly consist of *work experience in industry. A student is, or is in those specified circumstances, (as the case requires) an exempt student for such units.

(3) A student is an exempt student for a unit of study undertaken with a higher education provider as part of a *course of study with that provider if:

(a) the provider has awarded the student an exemption scholarship for the course; and

(b) the provider awarded the scholarship in accordance with any requirements specified in the Administration Guidelines.

(3A) A student is an exempt student for a unit of study undertaken with one higher education provider as part of a *course of study with another (the home provider) if:

(a) the home provider has awarded the student an exemption scholarship for the course; and

(b) the home provider awarded the scholarship in accordance with any requirements specified in the Administration Guidelines; and

(3B) A student is an exempt student for a unit of study undertaken with one higher education provider (the host provider) as part of a *course of study undertaken with another if:

(a) the host provider has awarded the student an exemption for the unit; and

(b) the host provider awarded the scholarship in accordance with any requirements specified in the Administration Guidelines.

(4) Without limiting the matters that may be specified in the Administration Guidelines for the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), those matters may include one or both of the following:

(a) the maximum number of exemption scholarships that a particular higher education provider may award in respect of a year;

(b) which students are eligible to receive exemption scholarships.

169‑25 Determining census dates and EFTSL values

(1) A higher education provider must, for each unit of study it provides or proposes to provide during a period ascertained in accordance with the Administration Guidelines, determine, for that period:

(a) a particular date to be the *census date for the unit; and

(b) the *EFTSL value for the unit.

Note: If a higher education provider provides the same unit over different periods, the unit is taken to be a different unit of study in respect of each period. Therefore the provider will have to determine a separate census date, and a separate EFTSL value, in respect of each period.

(2) A date determined under paragraph (1)(a) must not occur less than 20% of the way through the period during which the unit is undertaken.

(3) The provider must publish:

(a) the *census date for the unit by the date ascertained in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, the Administration Guidelines; and

(b) the *EFTSL value for the unit by the date ascertained in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, the Administration Guidelines.

Variations

(4) The provider must not vary the *census date for the unit, or the *EFTSL value for the unit, after publication under subsection (3), unless the provider:

(a) does so:

(i) before the date ascertained in accordance with the Administration Guidelines; and

(ii) in circumstances specified in the Administration Guidelines; or

(b) does so with the written approval of the Minister.

(5) If paragraph (4)(a) applies, the provider must publish the variation by the date ascertained in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, the Administration Guidelines.

(6) If paragraph (4)(b) applies, the provider must publish the variation by the date, and in the manner, specified by the Minister in the approval.

169‑30 Communications with the Commonwealth concerning students etc.

In communications under, or for the purposes of, this Act between the Commonwealth and a higher education provider concerning a person who:

(a) is enrolled, or seeking to enrol, in a unit of study with the provider; and

(b) has indicated that the person is seeking Commonwealth assistance under this Act for the unit, or is a *Commonwealth supported student for the unit;

the provider must use any identifier for that person that the *Secretary has indicated must be used in such communications.

169‑35 6 week cut off for corrections affecting entitlement to Commonwealth assistance

If:

(a) more than 6 weeks after the *census date for a unit of study undertaken with a higher education provider, a person gives the provider information in writing (the correct information) that establishes that information contained in or accompanying the person’s *request for Commonwealth assistance was incorrect; and

(b) the correct information establishes that the person was entitled to a particular kind of Commonwealth assistance;

this Act applies as if the person had never been entitled to that particular Commonwealth assistance.

Part 5‑3—Electronic communications

Division 174—Electronic communications

174‑1 What this Part is about

Certain documents that this Act requires or permits to be given between students and higher education providers may be transmitted electronically.

174‑5 Guidelines may deal with electronic communications

(1) The Administration Guidelines may make provision for or in relation to requiring or permitting information or documents to be given by students to higher education providers, or by higher education providers to students, in accordance with particular information technology requirements:

(a) on a particular kind of data storage device; or

(b) by means of a particular kind of electronic communication.

(2) The Administration Guidelines may make provision for or in relation to requiring, in relation to an electronic communication from a student to a higher education provider:

(a) that the communication contain an electronic signature (however described); or

(b) that the communication contain a unique identification in an electronic form; or

(c) that a particular method be used to identify the originator of the communication and to indicate the originator’s approval of the information communicated.

(3) The reference in subsection (1) to giving information includes a reference to anything that is giving information for the purposes of section 9 of the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

(4) In this section:

data storage device has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

electronic communication has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

information has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

information technology requirements has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

Part 5‑4—Protection of personal information

Division 179—Protection of personal information

179‑1 What this Part is about

An officer who discloses, copies or records personal information otherwise than in the course of official employment, or causes unauthorised access to or modification of personal information, commits an offence.

179‑5 Meaning of personal information

Personal information is:

(a) information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database), whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion; and

(b) obtained or created by an *officer for the purposes of Chapter 2 or Chapters 3 and 4.

179‑10 Use of personal information

An *officer commits an offence if:

(a) the officer either:

(i) discloses information; or

(ii) makes a copy or other record of information; and

(b) the information is *personal information; and

(d) the disclosure did not occur, or the copy or record was not made, in the course of that official employment.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

179‑15 Meanings of officer etc. and official employment

Meaning of officer

(1) A person is an officer if:

(a) the person is or was a *Commonwealth officer (see subsection (2)); or

(b) the person is or was an *officer of a higher education provider (see subsection (3)); or

(d) the person is or was an *officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre (see subsection (3B)).

(2) A Commonwealth officer is a person who holds office under, or is employed by, the Commonwealth, and includes the following:

(a) a person appointed or engaged under the Public Service Act 1999;

(b) a person permanently or temporarily employed:

(i) in the Public Service of a Territory (other than the Northern Territory); or

(ii) in, or in connection with, the Defence Force; or

(iii) in the Service of any authority or body constituted by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a Territory (other than the Northern Territory);

(c) the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, a Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, an AFP employee or a special member of the Australian Federal Police (all within the meaning of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979);

(d) a person who, although not holding office under, or employed by:

(i) the Commonwealth; or

(ii) a Territory (other than the Northern Territory); or

(iii) any authority or body constituted by or under a law of the Commonwealth or of a Territory (other than the Northern Territory);

performs services for or on behalf of the Commonwealth, a Territory (other than the Northern Territory), or such an authority or body;

(e) a person who is an employee of the Australian Postal Corporation;

(f) a person who performs services for or on behalf of the Australian Postal Corporation;

(g) an employee of a person who performs services for or on behalf of the Australian Postal Corporation.

(3) A person is an officer of a higher education provider if the person is:

(a) an officer or employee of the provider; or

(b) a person who, although not an officer or employee of the provider, performs services for or on behalf of the provider.

(3A) A person is an officer of Open Universities Australia if the person is:

(a) an officer or employee of *Open Universities Australia; or

(b) a person who, although not an officer or employee of Open Universities Australia, performs services for or on behalf of Open Universities Australia.

(3B) A person is an officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre if the person is:

(a) an officer or employee of the *Tertiary Admission Centre; or

(b) a person who, although not an officer or employee of the Tertiary Admission Centre, performs services for or on behalf of the Tertiary Admission Centre.

Meaning of official employment

(4) Official employment of an *officer is:

(a) for a *Commonwealth officer—the performance of duties or functions, or the exercise of powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act; or

(b) for an *officer of a higher education provider—service as such an officer; or

(d) for an *officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre—service as such an officer.

179‑20 When information is disclosed in the course of official employment

Without limiting the matters that are disclosures that occur in the course of an *officer’s *official employment for the purposes of paragraph 179‑10(d), the following disclosures are taken to be disclosures that occur in the course of an officer’s official employment:

(a) disclosure by a *Commonwealth officer of *personal information to another Commonwealth officer to assist that other officer in the other officer’s official employment;

(b) disclosure by an officer of personal information to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in connection with a *reviewable decision;

(c) disclosure by a Commonwealth officer of personal information to an *officer of a higher education provider to assist the provider’s officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act;

(ca) disclosure by a Commonwealth officer of personal information to an *officer of Open Universities Australia to assist *Open Universities Australia in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act;

(cb) disclosure by a Commonwealth officer of personal information to an *officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre to assist the officer of the Tertiary Admission Centre in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act;

(d) disclosure by an officer of a higher education provider of personal information to a Commonwealth officer to assist the Commonwealth officer in the Commonwealth officer’s official employment;

(e) disclosure by an officer of Open Universities Australia of personal information to a Commonwealth officer to assist the Commonwealth officer in the Commonwealth officer’s official employment;

(ea) disclosure by an officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre of personal information to a Commonwealth officer to assist the Commonwealth officer in the Commonwealth officer’s official employment;

(f) disclosure by an officer of Open Universities Australia of personal information to an officer of a higher education provider to assist the provider’s officer in performing duties or functions or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act;

(g) disclosure by an officer of a higher education provider of personal information to an officer of Open Universities Australia to assist the officer of Open Universities Australia in performing duties or functions or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act;

(h) disclosure by an officer of a higher education provider of personal information to an officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre to assist the officer of the Tertiary Admission Centre in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act;

(i) disclosure by an officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre of personal information to an officer of a higher education provider to assist the provider’s officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act.

179‑25 Commissioner may disclose information

(1) Despite anything in an Act of which the *Commissioner has the general administration, the Commissioner, or a person authorised by the Commissioner, may communicate *personal information to an *officer for use by that officer:

(a) in the case of a *Commonwealth officer—in the course of the officer’s *official employment; or

(b) in the case of an *officer of a higher education provider—to assist the officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act; or

(c) in the case of an *officer of Open Universities Australia—to assist the officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act; or

(d) in the case of an *officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre—to assist the officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Act.

(2) Despite subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code, in a prosecution for an offence against an Act of which the *Commissioner has the general administration, the defendant does not bear an evidential burden in relation to whether this section applies to a communication of *personal information.

179‑30 Oath or affirmation to protect information

(1) An *officer must, if and when required by the *Secretary or the *Commissioner to do so, make an oath or affirmation to protect information in accordance with this Part.

(2) The *Secretary may determine, in writing:

(a) the form of the oath or affirmation that the Secretary will require; and

(b) the manner in which the oath or affirmation must be made.

(3) The *Commissioner may determine, in writing:

(a) the form of the oath or affirmation that the Commissioner will require; and

(b) the manner in which the oath or affirmation must be made.

179‑35 Unauthorised access to, or modification of, personal information

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person causes any unauthorised access to, or modification of, *personal information that is:

(i) held in a computer; and

(ii) to which access is restricted by an access control system associated with a function of the computer; and

(b) the person intends to cause the access or modification; and

(d) one or more of the following apply:

(i) the personal information is held in a computer of a higher education provider;

(ii) the personal information is held on behalf of a provider;

(iii) the personal information is held in a computer of *Open Universities Australia;

(iv) the personal information is held on behalf of Open Universities Australia;

(v) the personal information is held on a computer of a *Tertiary Admission Centre;

(vi) the personal information is held on behalf of a Tertiary Admission Centre.

Penalty: 2 years imprisonment.

(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (1)(d).

Part 5‑5—Tax file numbers

Division 184—Introduction

184‑1 What this Part is about

Requirements relating to students’ tax file numbers apply to assistance under Chapter 3 that gives rise to HELP debts.

The Commissioner may notify higher education providers, or where appropriate Open Universities Australia, of matters relating to tax file numbers.

Higher education providers, and where appropriate Open Universities Australia, have obligations relating to notifying students about tax file number requirements.

Higher education providers have obligations relating to cancelling the enrolment of students who do not have tax file numbers.

Note: Part VA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 provides for issuing, cancelling or altering tax file numbers.

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

187‑1 Meeting the tax file number requirements

(1) A student who is enrolled, or proposes to enrol, with a higher education provider in a unit of study access to which was not provided by *Open Universities Australia, meets the tax file number requirements for assistance under Chapter 3 if:

(a) the student notifies his or her *tax file number to an *appropriate officer of the provider, and the provider is satisfied (in accordance with subsection (4)) that this number is a valid tax file number; or

(b) the student gives to the officer a certificate from the *Commissioner stating that the student has applied to the Commissioner asking the Commissioner to issue a tax file number to the student.

(1AA) Compliance by a person with subsection (1) in relation to a *course of study is to be ignored in determining whether there has been compliance by the person with subsection (1) in relation to any other course of study.

(1A) A student who accesses, or proposes to access, a unit of study through *Open Universities Australia, meets the tax file number requirements for assistance under Chapter 3 if:

(a) the student notifies his or her *tax file number to an *appropriate officer of Open Universities Australia, and Open Universities Australia is satisfied (in accordance with subsection (4)) that this number is a valid tax file number; or

(b) the student gives to the officer a certificate from the *Commissioner stating that the student has applied to the Commissioner asking the Commissioner to issue a tax file number to the student.

(2) If the student is seeking *HECS‑HELP assistance or *FEE‑HELP assistance for a unit of study, he or she does not meet the tax file number requirements for the assistance unless he or she complies with subsection (1) or (1A) (as the case requires) on or before the *census date for the unit.

(3) A notification under paragraph (1)(a) may be included in a *request for Commonwealth assistance that the student has given to the provider in relation to:

(a) the unit of study for which the assistance is sought; or

(b) the *course of study of which the unit forms a part; or

(3A) A notification under paragraph (1A)(a) may be included in a *request for Commonwealth assistance that the student has given to *Open Universities Australia in relation to the unit of study for which the assistance is sought.

(4) The *Commissioner may issue guidelines about the circumstances in which:

(a) a higher education provider is to be, or is not to be, satisfied that a number is a valid *tax file number for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a); and

(b) *Open Universities Australia is to be, or is not to be, satisfied that a number is a valid tax file number for the purposes of paragraph (1A)(a).

(5) A certificate under paragraph (1)(b) must be in a form approved by the *Commissioner.

(6) A certificate under paragraph (1A)(b) must be in a form approved by the *Commissioner.

(7) A guideline issued under subsection (4) is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

187‑2 Who is an appropriate officer?

(1) An appropriate officer of a higher education provider, means 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 an appropriate officer of the provider for the purposes of this Act.

(2) An appropriate officer of *Open Universities Australia, means a person, or a person included in a class of persons, whom:

(a) the chief executive officer of Open Universities Australia; or

(b) a delegate of the chief executive officer of Open Universities Australia;

has appointed to be an appropriate officer of Open Universities Australia for the purposes of this Act.

187‑5 Student to notify tax file number when issued

(1) If a student *meets the tax file number requirements for the assistance under paragraph 187‑1(1)(b):

(a) the student must notify his or her *tax file number to an *appropriate officer of the higher education provider within 21 days from the day on which the *Commissioner issues the tax file number to the student; and

(b) the provider must be satisfied (in accordance with subsection 187‑1(4)) that this number is a valid *tax file number.

(2) If a student *meets the tax file number requirements for assistance under paragraph 187‑1(1A)(b):

(a) the student must notify his or her *tax file number to an *appropriate officer of *Open Universities Australia within 21 days from the day on which the *Commissioner issues the tax file number to the student; and

(b) Open Universities Australia must be satisfied (in accordance with subsection 187‑1(4)) that this number is a valid *tax file number.

Division 190—In what circumstances can higher education providers and Open Universities Australia be notified of tax file number matters?

190‑1 When tax file numbers are issued etc.

(1) The *Commissioner may give to a higher education provider written notice of the *tax file number of a student who is enrolled in a *course of study with the provider if the Commissioner:

(a) issues the tax file number to the student; or

(b) refuses to issue a tax file number to the student on the ground that the student already has a tax file number.

(2) The *Commissioner may give to *Open Universities Australia written notice of the *tax file number of a student to whom Open Universities Australia provides access to a unit of study if the Commissioner:

(a) issues the tax file number to the student; or

(b) refuses to issue a tax file number to the student on the ground that the student already has a tax file number.

190‑5 When tax file numbers are altered

(1) The *Commissioner may give to a higher education provider written notice of the *tax file number of a student who is enrolled in a *course of study with the provider if the Commissioner issues a new tax file number to the student in place of a tax file number that has been withdrawn.

(2) That new number is taken to be the number that the student notified to the provider.

(3) The *Commissioner may give to *Open Universities Australia written notice of the *tax file number of a student to whom Open Universities Australia provides access to a unit of study if the Commissioner issues a new tax file number to the student in place of a tax file number that has been withdrawn.

(4) That new number is taken to be the number that the student notified to *Open Universities Australia.

190‑10 When tax file numbers are incorrectly notified—students with tax file numbers

(1) If the *Commissioner is satisfied:

(a) that the *tax file number that a student has notified to a higher education provider:

(i) has been cancelled or withdrawn since the notification was given; or

(ii) is otherwise wrong; and

(b) that the student has a tax file number;

the Commissioner may give to the provider written notice of the incorrect notification and of the student’s tax file number.

(2) That number is taken to be the number that the student notified to the provider.

(3) If the *Commissioner is satisfied:

(a) that the *tax file number that a student has notified to *Open Universities Australia:

(i) has been cancelled or withdrawn since the notification was given; or

(ii) is otherwise wrong; and

(b) that the student has a tax file number;

the Commissioner may give to Open Universities Australia written notice of the incorrect notification and of the student’s tax file number.

(4) That number is taken to be the number that the student notified to *Open Universities Australia.

190‑15 When tax file numbers are incorrectly notified—students without tax file numbers

(1) If:

(a) the *Commissioner is satisfied that the *tax file number that a student notified to a higher education provider:

(i) has been cancelled since the notification was given; or

(ii) is for any other reason not the student’s tax file number; and

(b) the Commissioner is not satisfied that the student has a tax file number;

the Commissioner may give to the provider a written notice informing the provider accordingly.

(1A) If:

(a) the *Commissioner is satisfied that the *tax file number that a student notified to *Open Universities Australia:

(i) has been cancelled since the notification was given; or

(ii) is for any other reason not the student’s tax file number; and

(b) the Commissioner is not satisfied that the student has a tax file number;

the Commissioner may give Open Universities Australia a written notice informing Open Universities Australia accordingly.

(2) The *Commissioner must give a copy of any notice under subsection (1) or (1A) to the student concerned, together with a written statement of the reasons for the decision to give the notice.

Note: Decisions to give notice under subsection (1) or (1A) are reviewable under section 202F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.

190‑20 When applications are refused or tax file numbers are cancelled

(1) If the *Commissioner:

(a) refuses a student’s application for the issue of a *tax file number; or

(b) cancels a tax file number issued to a student;

the Commissioner may give to a higher education provider with which the student is enrolled in a *course of study a written notice informing the provider accordingly.

(1A) If the *Commissioner:

(a) refuses a student’s application for the issue of a *tax file number; or

(b) cancels a tax file number issued to a student;

the Commissioner may, if access to a unit of study is provided to the student by *Open Universities Australia, give to Open Universities Australia written notice informing Open Universities Australia accordingly.

(2) The *Commissioner must give a copy of any notice under subsection (1) or (1A) to the student concerned, together with a written statement of the reasons for the decision to give the notice.

Note: Decisions to give notice under subsection (1) or (1A) are reviewable under section 202F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.

Division 193—Other provisions relating to tax file numbers

193‑1 Giving information about tax file number requirements

Requests for HECS‑HELP assistance or FEE‑HELP assistance—requirements on higher education providers

(1) A higher education provider must notify a person in writing how to *meet the tax file number requirements if:

(a) the person is enrolled in a unit of study with the provider; and

(b) the person has, on or before the *census date for the unit, completed, signed and given to the *appropriate officer of the provider a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit or, where the *course of study of which the unit forms a part is undertaken with the provider, in relation to the course of study;

(d) the request does not include a number that purports to be the person’s *tax file number.

(2) The provider must notify the person under subsection (1):

(a) on or before the *census date for the unit; or

(b) within 7 days after the person gives the provider the *request for Commonwealth assistance;

whichever is earlier.

Requests for FEE‑HELP assistance—requirements on Open Universities Australia

(2A) *Open Universities Australia must notify a person in writing how to *meet the tax file number requirements if:

(a) Open Universities Australia provides access to a unit of study to the person; and

(b) the person has, on or before the *census date for the unit, completed, signed and given to an *appropriate officer of Open Universities Australia a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit; and

(d) the request does not include a number that purports to be the person’s *tax file number.

(2B) *Open Universities Australia must notify the person under subsection (2A):

(a) on or before the *census date for the unit; or

(b) within 7 days after the person gives Open Universities Australia the *request for Commonwealth assistance;

whichever is earlier.

(2C) A request for Commonwealth assistance, in relation to a person to whom *Open Universities Australia provides access to a unit of study, means a document:

(a) in which the person requests the Commonwealth to provide assistance under this Act in relation to the unit; and

(b) that is in the form approved by the Minister.

Requests for OS‑HELP assistance

(3) A higher education provider must notify a person in writing how to *meet the tax file number requirements if:

(a) the person is enrolled in a *course of study with the provider; and

(b) the person has, before receiving *OS‑HELP assistance, completed, signed and given to an *appropriate officer of the provider a *request for Commonwealth assistance; and

(d) the request does not include a number that purports to be the person’s *tax file number.

(4) The provider must notify the person under subsection (3) within 7 days after the person gives the provider the *request for Commonwealth assistance.

Cases where there is no obligation to notify

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

(a) the person, in the *request for Commonwealth assistance, requests *HECS‑HELP assistance, *FEE‑HELP assistance or *OS‑HELP assistance, but the person is not entitled to the assistance; or

(b) the person, in the request for Commonwealth assistance, requests HECS‑HELP assistance in relation to a unit of study, but one or more *up‑front payments for the unit have been made totalling 80% of the person’s *student contribution amount for the unit.

Note: In the circumstances set out in paragraph (5)(b), the HECS‑HELP assistance would not involve any loan by the Commonwealth to the person.

193‑5 No entitlement to HECS‑HELP assistance for students without tax file numbers

(1) A higher education provider must cancel a person’s enrolment in a unit of study with the provider if:

(a) the provider receives notice under section 190‑15 or 190‑20 to the effect that the person does not have, or no longer has, a *tax file number; and

(b) at the end of 28 days after the provider receives that notice, the provider has not been notified of a number that the provider is satisfied (in accordance with subsection (3)) is a valid tax file number; and

(d) the person has not paid, as one or more *up‑front payments in relation to the unit, 80% of his or her *student contribution amount for the unit.

Note 1: If the unit does not wholly consist of work experience in industry, the person’s SLE in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see section 79‑25.

Note 2: If the unit wholly consists of work experience in industry, the provider has certain payment obligations: see section 36‑23.

(2) The provider must not accept a further enrolment of the person in that unit as a *Commonwealth supported student.

(3) A higher education provider must, in deciding whether it is satisfied that a number is a valid *tax file number for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), comply with the guidelines issued by the *Commissioner under subsection 187‑1(4).

(4) A higher education provider must comply with any requirements, set out in guidelines issued by the *Commissioner, relating to procedures for informing persons who may be affected by subsection (1) or (3) of the need to obtain a valid *tax file number.

(5) A guideline issued under subsection (4) is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

193‑10 No entitlement to FEE‑HELP assistance for students without tax file numbers

(1) This subsection applies to a person in relation to a unit of study if:

(a) the person is enrolled with a higher education provider in the unit; and

(b) access to the unit was not provided by *Open Universities Australia; and

(c) the provider receives notice under section 190‑15 or 190‑20 to the effect that the person does not have, or no longer has, a *tax file number; and

(d) at the end of 28 days after the provider receives that notice, the provider has not been notified of a number that the provider is satisfied (in accordance with subsection (3)) is a valid tax file number; and

(e) the person is entitled to *FEE‑HELP assistance for the unit (ignoring paragraph 104‑1(1)(h)).

Note: The person’s FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see subsection 104‑27(1).

(2) This subsection applies to a person in relation to a unit of study if:

(a) the person is enrolled in the unit; and

(b) access to the unit was provided by *Open Universities Australia; and

(c) Open Universities Australia receives notice under section 190‑15 or 190‑20 to the effect that the person does not have, or no longer has, a *tax file number; and

(d) at the end of 28 days after Open Universities Australia receives that notice, Open Universities Australia has not been notified of a number that it is satisfied (in accordance with subsection (3)) is a valid tax file number; and

(e) the person is entitled to *FEE‑HELP assistance for the unit (ignoring paragraph 104‑1(1)(h)).

Note: The person’s FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see subsection 104‑27(2).

(3) A higher education provider or *Open Universities Australia must, in deciding whether it is satisfied that a number is a valid *tax file number for the purposes of paragraph (1)(d) or (2)(d), as the case may be, comply with the guidelines issued by the *Commissioner under subsection 187‑1(4).

(4) A higher education provider or *Open Universities Australia must comply with any requirements, set out in guidelines issued by the *Commissioner, relating to procedures for informing persons of the need to obtain a valid *tax file number, where the persons may be affected by subsection (1) or (2), as the case may be, applying to them.

(5) A guideline issued under subsection (4) is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Part 5‑6—Indexation

Division 198—Indexation

198‑1 What this Part is about

Several amounts referred to in provisions of this Act are indexed. This Part sets out how those amounts are indexed.

Note 1: Different methods of indexation are used for the indexing of accumulated HELP debts under sections 140‑10 and 140‑15, and for the indexing of HELP repayment thresholds under section 154‑25.

Note 2: Guidelines may provide for amounts to be indexed using the method of indexation set out in this Part.

198‑5 The amounts that are to be indexed

This table sets out the amounts that are to be indexed.

Amounts that are to be indexed
Item	Amounts:	See:
1	*Commonwealth contribution amounts	Section 33‑10
2	Reduction amount	Section 33‑37
3	*Maximum student contribution amounts for places	Section 93‑10
4	The *FEE‑HELP limit	Section 104‑20
5	The *maximum OS‑HELP amount	Section 121‑5

198‑10 Indexing amounts

(1) An amount is indexed on 1 January 2012, and on each subsequent 1 January, by multiplying it by the *indexation factor for the relevant year.

(2) However an amount is not indexed if its *indexation factor is 1 or less.

(3) If an amount worked out under subsection (1) is an amount made up of dollars and cents, round the amount down to the nearest dollar.

198‑15 Meaning of indexation factor

(1) The indexation factor for the relevant year is:

(2) Work out the *indexation factor to 3 decimal places (rounding up if the fourth decimal place is 5 or more).

Example: If the factor is 1.102795, it is rounded up to 1.103.

198‑20 Meaning of index number

(1) For the purpose of applying section 198‑10 to the amounts specified in the table in section 198‑5 for a year, the index number is the Higher Education Grants Index number for the year published by the Minister in the Gazette.

(2) The Higher Education Grants Index number for a year must reflect the following amounts:

(a) 25% of the amount of the movement in the All Groups Consumer Price Index for the weighted average of the 8 capital cities, based on index numbers published by the *Australian Statistician for each *quarter in the *indexation period;

(b) 75% of 90% of the amount of the movement in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Labour Price Index, based on index numbers published by the Australian Statistician for each quarter in the indexation period.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), if, at any time before or after the commencement of this subsection:

(a) the *Australian Statistician has published or publishes an index number in respect of a *quarter; and

(b) that index number is in substitution for an index number previously published by the Australian Statistician in respect of that quarter;

regard may be had to the publication of the later index for the purposes of calculating the Higher Education Grants Index number for a year.

(4) If, at any time before or after the commencement of this subsection, the *Australian Statistician has changed or changes the reference base for the All Groups Consumer Price Index or the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Labour Price Index, then, for the purposes of applying this section after the change took place or takes place, have regard to index numbers published in terms of the new reference base.

(5) For the purpose of applying section 198‑10 to the amounts specified in each item of the table in section 198‑5 for 2012, the index number for 2011 is taken to be 1.

(6) A notice in the Gazette specifying an index number is not a legislative instrument.

(7) In this section:

indexation period, in relation to a calendar year, means the period beginning on 1 January 2010 and ending on 31 December of the calendar year before the immediately preceding calendar year.

Part 5‑7—Review of decisions

Division 203—Introduction

203‑1 What this Part is about

Some decisions made under this Act are subject to reconsideration and then review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Division 206—Which decisions are subject to review?

206‑1 Reviewable decisions etc.

The table sets out:

(a) the reviewable decisions under this Act; and

(b) the decision maker, for the purposes of this Division, in respect of each of those decisions.

Reviewable decisions
Item		Decision	Provision under which decision is made	Decision maker
1A		A decision that section 36‑22 does not apply to a person	section 36‑22	(a) the higher education provider with whom the student is enrolled in the unit; or (b) if the *Secretary made the decision that the section does not apply—the Secretary
1		Refusal to re‑credit some or all of a person’s *student learning entitlement for a unit of study	section 79‑1	(a) the higher education provider with whom the student is enrolled in the unit; or (b) if the *Secretary made the decision to refuse the re‑crediting—the Secretary
2		Refusal to re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance	subsection 104‑25(1)	(a) the higher education provider with whom the student is enrolled in the unit; or (b) if the *Secretary made the decision to refuse the re‑crediting—the Secretary
2A		Refusal to re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance	subsection 104‑25(2)	(a) Open Universities Australia; or (b) if the Secretary made the decision to refuse the re‑crediting—the Secretary
3		Deferral of making an assessment or refusal to defer the making of an assessment	section 154‑45	the *Commissioner
4		Amending the assessment or refusal to amend an assessment	section 154‑50	the *Commissioner
4A		A determination	section 157‑20	the *Commissioner
5	A decision under Division 225 (other than section 225‑25), in relation to an external Territory		Division 225 (other than section 225‑25)	the Minister

Note 1: The decisions referred to in items 1A, 1 and 2 of the table are made by a higher education provider on the Secretary’s behalf.

Note 2: The decisions referred to in item 2A of the table are made by Open Universities Australia on the Secretary’s behalf.

206‑5 Deadlines for making reviewable decisions

If:

(a) this Act provides for a person to apply to a *decision maker to make a *reviewable decision; and

(b) a period is specified under this Act for giving notice of the decision to the applicant; and

the decision maker is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have made a decision to reject the application.

206‑10 Decision maker must give reasons for reviewable decisions

(1) If this Act requires the *decision maker to notify a person of the making of a *reviewable decision, the notice must include reasons for the decision.

(2) Subsection (1) does not affect an obligation, imposed upon the *decision maker by any other law, to give reasons for a decision.

Division 209—How are decisions reconsidered?

209‑1 Reviewer of decisions

(1) The reviewer of a *reviewable decision is:

(a) if the *decision maker was a higher education provider acting on behalf of the *Secretary—the Secretary; or

(b) if the *decision maker was *Open Universities Australia acting on behalf of the *Secretary—the Secretary; or

(2) If:

(a) a *reviewable decision was made by a delegate of a *decision maker; and

(b) the decision is to be reconsidered by a delegate of the decision maker;

then the delegate who reconsiders the decision must be a person who:

(d) occupies a position that is senior to that occupied by any person involved in making the decision.

Note 1: The Secretary may delegate to a review officer of a higher education provider the power to reconsider reviewable decisions made under section 36‑22 or Chapter 3: see subsection 238‑1(2).

Note 2: The Secretary may also delegate to a review officer of Open Universities Australia the power to reconsider reviewable decisions made under Chapter 3: see subsection 238‑1(2A).

209‑5 Reviewer may reconsider reviewable decisions

(1) The *reviewer of a *reviewable decision may reconsider the decision if the reviewer is satisfied that there is sufficient reason to do so.

(2) The *reviewer may reconsider the decision even if:

(a) an application for reconsideration of the decision has been made under section 209‑10; or

(b) the decision has been confirmed, varied or set aside under section 209‑10 and an application has been made under section 212‑1 for review of the decision.

(3) After reconsidering the decision, the *decision maker must:

(a) confirm the decision; or

(b) vary the decision; or

(4) The *reviewer’s decision (the decision on review) to confirm, vary or set aside the decision takes effect:

(a) on the day specified in the decision on review; or

(b) if a day is not specified—on the day on which the decision on review was made.

(5) The *reviewer must give written notice of the decision on review to the person to whom that decision relates.

(6) The notice:

(a) must be given within a reasonable period after the decision is made; and

(b) must contain a statement of the reasons for the *reviewer’s decision on review.

Note: Section 27A of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 requires the person to be notified of the person’s review rights.

209‑10 Reconsideration of reviewable decisions on request

(1) A person whose interests are affected by a *reviewable decision may request the *reviewer to reconsider the decision.

(2) The person’s request must be made by written notice given to the *reviewer within 28 days, or such longer period as the reviewer allows, after the day on which the person first received notice of the decision.

(3) The notice must set out the reasons for making the request.

(4) After receiving the request, the *reviewer must reconsider the decision and:

(a) confirm the decision; or

(b) vary the decision; or

(5) The *reviewer’s decision (the decision on review) to confirm, vary or set aside the decision takes effect:

(a) on the day specified in the decision on review; or

(b) if a day is not specified—on the day on which the decision on review was made.

(5A) The *reviewer must give the person written notice of the decision on review.

(5B) The notice:

(a) must be given within a reasonable period after the decision on review is made; and

(b) must contain a statement of the reasons for the decision on review.

(6) The *reviewer is taken, for the purposes of this Part, to have confirmed the decision if the reviewer does not give notice of a decision to the person within 45 days after receiving the person’s request.

Note: Section 27A of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 requires the person to be notified of the person’s review rights.

Division 212—Which decisions are subject to AAT review?

212‑1 AAT review of reviewable decisions

An application may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for the review of a *reviewable decision that has been confirmed, varied or set aside under section 209‑5 or 209‑10.

Chapter 6—The provision of higher education in the external Territories

Division 217—Introduction

217‑1 What this Chapter is about

This Chapter primarily provides for approval of universities, self‑accrediting entities and non self‑accrediting entities to operate in external Territories, and for accreditation of courses of study in those Territories.

217‑5 The Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines

Matters relating to the provision of higher education in the external Territories are also dealt with in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines.

Note: The Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238‑10.

Part 6‑1—Approval and accreditation

Division 222—Introduction

222‑1 What this Part is about

Certain persons (other than natural persons) may apply for approval to operate in an external Territory as a university, as a self‑accrediting entity, or as a non self‑accrediting entity.

All courses of study offered in an external Territory that an approved person is not authorised to accredit must be accredited by the Minister.

Persons (including natural persons) who do not have approval or accreditation under this Part may commit an offence if they operate as a university or other provider, offer higher education awards or describe themselves as universities, in an external Territory.

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

225‑1 Application for approval and accreditation

(1) A person (other than a natural person) who wishes to *operate in an external Territory as a university or other provider of *courses of study leading to *higher education awards, may apply in writing to the Minister:

(a) for any of the following:

(i) approval to operate as a university in relation to that Territory;

(ii) approval to operate as a self‑accrediting entity in relation to that Territory;

(iii) approval to operate as a non self‑accrediting entity in relation to that Territory; and

(b) for accreditation, in relation to that Territory, of courses of study leading to higher education awards that the person proposes to offer in that Territory and is not authorised by a *government accreditation authority to accredit.

Note: Division 228 contains offences for persons who operate as a university or other provider, offer higher education awards or describe themselves as universities, in an external Territory, without approval or accreditation under this Part.

(2) An application under this section:

(a) must be in the form approved by the Minister; and

(b) must be accompanied by the information (if any) specified in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines.

(2A) The Minister may request an applicant to give the Minister specified additional information to enable the Minister to decide the application.

(3) The Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines may provide for matters relating to applications under this section, including matters relating to either or both of the following:

(a) requests by the Minister for further information;

(b) processes and deadlines that applicants must comply with.

225‑3 Approving a person to operate as a university in relation to an external Territory

(1) The Minister may approve a person to operate as a university in relation to an external Territory if:

(a) the person applies for approval, under section 225‑1, to operate as a university; and

(b) the Minister is satisfied, following an assessment made having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, that it is appropriate to approve the person to operate as a university in relation to the external Territory; and

(i) to provide education;

(ii) to conduct research.

Note: Refusal to approve a person to operate as a university is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

(2) If the Minister approves a person to operate as a university in relation to an external Territory under subsection (1), he or she may, having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, approve the person’s use of:

(a) the word “university”; or

(b) the words “university college”; or

for the purpose of:

(d) identifying the person in the person’s *operation in the external Territory; or

(e) identifying the person’s operation in the external Territory.

225‑5 Approving a person to operate as a self‑accrediting entity in relation to an external Territory

(1) The Minister may approve a person to operate as a self‑accrediting entity in relation to an external Territory if:

(a) the person applies for approval, under section 225‑1, to operate as a self‑accrediting entity in relation to that Territory; and

(b) the Minister is satisfied, following an assessment made having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, that it is appropriate that the person be authorised to accredit *courses of study leading to *higher education awards in relation to that Territory; and

(i) to provide education;

(ii) to conduct research.

Note: Refusal to approve a person to operate as a self‑accrediting entity is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

(2) The Minister must, having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, specify in the approval:

(a) whether the person’s authority to accredit *courses of study leading to *higher education awards in relation to that Territory is limited in any way; and

(b) the nature of any such limitation.

Note 1: An authority may be limited, for example, by reference to a field of study or level of qualification.

Note 2: A decision to limit an authority is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

Minister may accredit courses that person is not authorised to self‑accredit

(3) If the Minister proposes to:

(a) approve under subsection (1) a person to operate as a self‑accrediting entity in relation to an external Territory; and

(b) limit under subsection (2) the person’s authority to accredit *courses of study leading to *higher education awards in relation to that Territory;

the Minister may, when approving that person, accredit any course of study, in relation to that Territory, that the person proposes to offer in that Territory but would not be authorised to accredit because of that limitation.

(4) The Minister may only accredit a *course of study under subsection (3) in relation to an external Territory if the Minister is satisfied, following an assessment made having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, that the course, and the way of delivering it, are appropriate to the award.

Note: A decision not to accredit a course of study under subsection (3) is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

225‑7 Approving a person to operate as a non self‑accrediting entity in relation to an external Territory

The Minister may approve a person to operate as a non self‑accrediting entity in relation to an external Territory if:

(a) the person applies under section 225‑1 for:

(i) approval to operate as a non self‑accrediting entity in relation to that Territory; or

(ii) approval to operate as a self‑accrediting entity in relation to that Territory; and

(b) the Minister is satisfied, following an assessment made having regard to the *National Protocols and the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, that:

(i) if subparagraph (a)(ii) applies—it would not be appropriate to authorise the person to accredit any *courses of study leading to *higher education awards in relation to that Territory; and

(ii) in any case—it is appropriate that the person be authorised to offer courses of study leading to higher education awards in relation to that Territory; and

(i) to provide education;

(ii) to conduct research.

Note: Refusal to approve a person to operate as a non self‑accrediting entity, or a decision to approve a person to operate as a non self‑accrediting entity on application for approval to operate as a self‑accrediting entity, is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

225‑10 Accrediting a course of study

The Minister may accredit a particular *course of study, in relation to an external Territory, as a course of study leading to a *higher education award if:

(a) the person applies, under section 225‑1, for accreditation of that course in relation to that Territory; and

(b) the Minister is satisfied, following an assessment made having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, that the course, and the way of delivering it, are appropriate to the award.

Note: Refusal to accredit a course of study is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

225‑15 Duration of approval and accreditation

An approval or accreditation under this Part:

(a) remains in force for the period that the Minister determines; and

(b) is subject to any conditions that the Minister imposes.

Note: A decision determining a period during which an approval or accreditation remains in force, or imposing conditions on an approval or accreditation, is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

225‑20 Amending or revoking an approval, authorisation or accreditation in relation to an external Territory

Amending or revoking an approval to operate as a university

(1) The Minister may amend or revoke an approval of a person under section 225‑3 to operate as a university in relation to an external Territory at any time if the Minister is satisfied that:

(a) the person has breached a condition to which the person’s approval is subject; or

(b) following a reassessment of the person’s approval made having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, the person’s circumstances have so changed that it is no longer appropriate that the person be approved to operate as a university in relation to that Territory; or

Note: Amendment or revocation of an approval is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

Amending or revoking an approval to use a word or words

(2) The Minister may amend or revoke an approval for a person under section 225‑3 to use a word or words in relation to an external Territory at any time if the Minister is satisfied that:

(a) the person has breached a condition to which the person’s approval was subject; or

(b) following a reassessment of the person’s approval made having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, it is not appropriate for the person to use the word or words in relation to that Territory; or

(c) the person’s approval under section 225‑3 to operate as a university in relation to that Territory has been amended or revoked.

Note: Amendment or revocation of an approval is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

Amending or revoking an approval to operate as a self‑accrediting entity

(3) The Minister may amend or revoke an approval of a person under section 225‑5 to operate as a self‑accrediting entity in relation to an external Territory at any time if the Minister is satisfied that:

(a) the person has breached a condition to which the person’s approval is subject; or

(i) it is no longer appropriate that the person be authorised to accredit any courses of study in relation to that Territory; or

(ii) it is no longer appropriate that the person be authorised to accredit one or more of the courses that it is currently authorised to accredit in relation to that Territory; or

Note: Amendment or revocation of an approval is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

Amending or revoking an approval to operate as a non self‑accrediting entity

(4) The Minister may amend or revoke an approval of a person under section 225‑7 to operate as a non self‑accrediting entity in relation to an external Territory at any time if the Minister is satisfied that:

(a) the person has breached a condition to which the person’s approval is subject; or

Note: Amendment or revocation of an approval is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

Amending or revoking an accreditation of a course of study

(5) The Minister may amend or revoke an accreditation of a *course of study under section 225‑5 or 225‑10 in relation to an external Territory at any time if the Minister is satisfied that:

(a) the person *offering the course has breached a condition to which the accreditation is subject; or

(b) following a reassessment of the accreditation made having regard to the *National Protocols and any matters set out in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines, the content of, or manner of providing, the course has so changed that it is no longer appropriate to the award; or

Note: Amendment or revocation of an accreditation is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

Amending or revoking an approval or accreditation because false or misleading information provided in application

(6) The Minister may amend or revoke an approval or accreditation under this Part at any time if the Minister is satisfied that information given by a person in relation to an application under section 225‑1 for that approval or accreditation was false or misleading.

Note: Amendment or revocation of an accreditation is reviewable under Part 5‑7.

225‑25 Fees

(1) The Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines may:

(a) set out fees to be paid in respect of applications made under section 225‑1; and

(b) for that purpose, take into account such costs as are directly or indirectly incurred by, or in assisting, the Minister to make a decision on such an application; and

(2) A person making an application under section 225‑1 must pay such fees as are provided for in the Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines at such times as the Guidelines provide.

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

228‑1 Persons without approval not to operate as universities or other provider in external Territories

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person *operates, or purports to operate:

(i) as a university, or a part of a university, providing *courses of study leading to *higher education awards; or

(ii) as another provider of courses of study leading to higher education awards; and

(b) the operation or purported operation is in an external Territory; and

(i) an *Australian university; or

(ii) a *self‑accrediting entity; or

(iii) approved to operate in that Territory by the Minister under section 225‑3 or 225‑7.

Penalty: 40 penalty units.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits a separate offence in respect of each day (including a day of a conviction for the offence or any later day) during which the contravention continues.

228‑5 Persons without accreditation not to offer higher education awards or courses in external Territories

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person *offers, or purports to offer, the whole or a part of a *course of study leading to a *higher education award; and

(b) the offer, or purported offer, is in an external Territory; and

(c) the person is not an *Australian university or approved under section 225‑3 to operate in relation to that Territory as a university; and

(d) if the person is a *self‑accrediting entity—the person is not authorised by a *government accreditation authority to accredit the course; and

(e) the course is not accredited by the Minister under section 225‑5 or 225‑10 in relation to that Territory.

Penalty: 40 penalty units.

(2) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person *offers, or purports to offer, a *higher education award; and

(b) the offer, or purported offer, is in an external Territory; and

(d) the offer, or purported offer, of the award is not dependent on the successful completion of a *course of study leading to a higher education award.

Penalty: 40 penalty units.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits a separate offence in respect of each day (including a day of a conviction for the offence or any later day) during which the contravention continues.

228‑10 Persons without accreditation not to describe themselves as universities in external Territories

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person uses the word “university”, “university college” or any like words (whether or not in combination with other words):

(i) to identify the person in the person’s operation or purported operation in an external Territory; or

(ii) to identify the person’s operation or purported operation in an external Territory; and

(b) the person, or the person’s operation or purported operation, as so identified, is not an *Australian university; and

(c) the Minister has not approved the use of that word or those words under subsection 225‑3(2) or section 233‑1 in relation to that Territory.

Penalty: 40 penalty units.

228‑15 Meanings of operating and offering

(1A) A reference to a person operating, or purporting to operate, in an external Territory:

(a) as a university, or part of a university, providing *courses of study leading to *higher education awards; or

(b) as another provider of courses of study leading to higher education awards;

includes a reference to a person:

(i) the whole or a part of such courses of study in relation to that Territory; or

(ii) such awards in relation to that Territory; or

(d) using premises for the purposes of operating as such a provider in relation to that Territory.

(1) A reference to a person operating, or purporting to operate, in an external Territory:

(a) as a university, or part of a university, providing *courses of study leading to *higher education awards; or

(b) as another provider of courses of study leading to higher education awards;

includes a reference to a person operating, or purporting to operate, as such a university, part of a university or other provider in or from that Territory by any of the following means:

(ca) a postal or other like service;

(d) a television receiver adapted to allow the viewer to transmit information by way of a cable television network or other communications network;

(e) a telephone;

(f) any other electronic device.

(2) A reference to a person offering, or purporting to offer, in an external Territory, *courses of study leading to *higher education awards, includes a reference to such a person offering, or purporting to offer, such courses in or from that Territory by any of the means referred to in subsection (1).

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.

Despite any provision of a law in force in an external Territory that regulates the use of company names or business names in that Territory:

(a) registration, or purported registration of; or

(b) authorisation, or purported authorisation of;

any company name or business name that uses the word “university”, “university college” or any like words is of no effect unless the Minister has given written approval for the use of that name.

Chapter 7—Miscellaneous

238‑1 Delegations by Secretary

(1) The *Secretary may, in writing, delegate to an APS employee in the Department all or any of the powers of the Secretary under this Act, the regulations or any Guidelines made under section 238‑10.

(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:

(a) under section 36‑22; or

(b) relating to Chapter 3.

(2A) The *Secretary may, in writing, delegate to a *review officer of *Open Universities Australia the Secretary’s powers under Division 209 to reconsider *reviewable decisions made by Open Universities Australia relating to Chapter 3.

(2B) A review officer of *Open Universities Australia is a person, or a person included in a class of persons, whom:

(a) the chief executive officer of Open Universities Australia; or

(b) a delegate of the chief executive officer of Open Universities Australia;

has appointed to be a review officer of Open Universities Australia for the purposes of reviewing decisions made by it relating to assistance under Chapter 3.

(3) In exercising powers under the delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the *Secretary.

238‑5 Delegations by Minister

(1) The Minister may, by writing, delegate to:

(a) the *Secretary; or

(b) an APS employee in the Department;

all or any of the Minister’s powers under this Act.

(2) In exercising powers under the delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Minister.

238‑7 Review of impact of Act

Before 31 December 2006, the Minister must cause a review to be commenced of the impact on the higher education sector of the higher education reforms enacted through this Act.

238‑10 Guidelines

(1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Guidelines, specified in the second column of the table, providing for matters:

(a) required or permitted by the corresponding Chapter, Part or section specified in the third column of the table to be provided; or

(b) necessary or convenient to be provided in order to carry out or give effect to that Chapter, Part or section.

Guidelines
Item	Guidelines	Chapter/Part/section
1	Administration Guidelines	Chapter 5
2	Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines	Part 2‑2; section 93‑10
3	Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines	Part 2‑4
4	FEE‑HELP Guidelines	Part 3‑3
4A	HECS‑HELP Benefit Guidelines	Part 4‑2
5	HECS‑HELP Guidelines	Part 3‑2
6	Higher Education Provider Guidelines	Part 2‑1
6A	Higher Education in External Territories Guidelines	Chapter 6
7	OS‑HELP Guidelines	Part 3‑4
8	Other Grants Guidelines	Part 2‑3
9	Reduction and Repayment Guidelines	Part 2‑5
10	Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines	Part 3‑1
11	Tuition Fee Guidelines	Part 2‑2

(1A) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Guidelines, called Guidelines for Overseas Higher Education Providers, specifying additional requirements or conditions applicable to *Table C providers.

Indexation

(3) Guidelines may provide for the indexation of any or all amounts in the Guidelines, using the method of indexation set out in Part 5‑6.

238‑12 Appropriation

Amounts payable by the Commonwealth under this Act are payable out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.

238‑15 Regulations

The Governor‑General may make regulations prescribing matters:

(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Schedule 1A—VET FEE‑HELP Assistance Scheme

Note: See section 6‑1.

1 What this Schedule is about

This Schedule provides for loans, called VET FEE‑HELP assistance, to be made available to students enrolled in certain accredited vocational education and training (VET) courses.

Part 1—VET providers

Division 1—Introduction

2 What this Part is about

A body has to be approved as a VET provider before its students can receive VET FEE‑HELP. This Part sets out VET provider application and approval processes.

VET providers are subject to the VET quality and accountability requirements.

A body’s approval as a VET provider may be revoked in circumstances such as breach of a VET quality and accountability requirement.

3 The VET Provider Guidelines

*VET providers and the *VET quality and accountability requirements are also dealt with in the *VET Provider Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The VET Provider Guidelines are made by the Minister under clause 99.

Division 3—What is a VET provider?

Subdivision 3‑A—General

4 Meaning of VET provider

A VET provider is a body corporate that is approved under this Division.

5 When a body becomes or ceases to be a VET provider

(1) A body corporate becomes a *VET provider if approved by the Minister under clause 6.

(2) A *VET provider ceases to be a provider if the provider’s approval is revoked or suspended under Division 5 or the notice of the provider’s approval ceases to have effect under Part 5 (Parliamentary scrutiny of legislative instruments) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Subdivision 3‑B—How are bodies approved as VET providers?

6 Approval by the Minister

The Minister, in writing, may approve a body corporate as a *VET provider if:

(a) the body:

(i) is established under the law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; and

(ii) carries on business in Australia; and

(iii) has its central management and control in Australia; and

(b) the body’s principal purpose is to provide education; and

(d) the body either fulfils the *VET tuition assurance requirements or is exempted from those requirements under clause 8; and

(da) the body offers at least one *VET course of study; and

(e) the body applies for approval as provided for in clause 9; and

(f) the Minister is satisfied that the body is willing and able to meet the *VET quality and accountability requirements; and

(g) the body complies with any requirements set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines.

7 The VET tuition assurance requirements

The VET tuition assurance requirements are that the body corporate complies with the requirements for VET tuition assurance set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines.

8 VET tuition assurance requirements exemption for approvals

(1) The Minister may, in writing, exempt a body corporate from the *VET tuition assurance requirements for the purposes of approving the body under clause 6.

Note: This clause only deals with exemptions from the VET tuition assurance requirements when approving bodies as VET providers. The VET Provider Guidelines will deal with exemptions from the VET tuition assurance requirements after approval has happened.

(2) An exemption is subject to such conditions as are specified in the exemption.

Note: A body will not be exempt if a condition of the exemption is not complied with.

(3) An exemption given under this clause is not a legislative instrument.

9 Application

(1) A body corporate may apply in writing to the Minister for approval as a *VET provider.

(2) The application:

(a) must be in the form approved by the Minister; and

(b) must be accompanied by such information as the Minister requests.

10 Minister may seek further information

(2) If an applicant does not comply with a requirement under subclause (1), the application is taken to have been withdrawn.

(3) A notice under this clause must include a statement about the effect of subclause (2).

11 Minister to decide application

(1) The Minister must:

(a) decide an application for approval as a *VET provider; and

(b) cause the applicant to be notified in writing whether or not the applicant is approved as a VET provider.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 6(f):

(a) the Minister may be satisfied that a body corporate is willing and able to meet the *VET quality and accountability requirements if the body gives the Minister such written undertakings as the Minister requires; and

(b) the Minister may be satisfied that a body corporate is willing and able to meet:

(i) the *VET quality and accountability requirements; or

(ii) one or more of the requirements referred to in paragraphs 13(1)(a) to (f);

if a body approved under the *VET Provider Guidelines so recommends in accordance with those guidelines.

(2A) Subclause (2) does not limit the circumstances in which the Minister may be satisfied, for the purposes of paragraph 6(f), that a body corporate is willing and able to meet the *VET quality and accountability requirements.

(3) The Minister’s decision must be made:

(a) within 90 days after receiving the application; or

(b) if further information is requested under clause 10—within 60 days after the end of the period within which the information was required to be provided under that clause;

whichever is the later.

(4) If the Minister decides that an applicant is approved as a *VET provider, the notice must also contain such information as is specified in the VET Provider Guidelines as information that must be provided to an applicant upon approval as a VET provider.

12 Approvals are legislative instruments

(1) A notice of approval under paragraph 11(1)(b) is a legislative instrument.

(2) A decision of the Minister to approve a body corporate as a *VET provider takes effect when the notice of approval takes effect under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Note: Section 12 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 provides for when a legislative instrument takes effect.

Division 4—What are the VET quality and accountability requirements?

Subdivision 4‑A—General

13 The VET quality and accountability requirements

(1) The VET quality and accountability requirements are:

(a) the *VET financial viability requirements (see Subdivision 4‑B); and

(b) the *VET quality requirements (see Subdivision 4‑C); and

(d) the *VET compliance requirements (see Subdivision 4‑E); and

(e) the *VET fee requirements (see Subdivision 4‑F); and

(f) any other requirements for VET quality and accountability set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines.

(2) This Division does not of its own force require a *VET provider to do any act or thing.

Subdivision 4‑B—The VET financial viability requirements

14 Basic requirement

A *VET provider:

(a) must be financially viable; and

(b) must be likely to remain financially viable.

15 Financial information must be provided

(1) A *VET provider must give to the Minister a financial statement for each *annual financial reporting period for the provider in which a student of the provider receives assistance under this Schedule.

(2) The statement:

(a) must be in the form approved by the Minister; and

(b) must be provided together with a report on the statement by an independent *qualified auditor; and

(c) must be provided within 6 months after the end of the *annual financial reporting period for which the statement was given.

(3) An annual financial reporting period, for a *VET provider, is the period of 12 months:

(a) to which the provider’s accounts relate; and

(b) that is notified in writing to the Minister as the provider’s annual financial reporting period.

16 Minister to have regard to financial information

In determining whether a *VET provider is financially viable, and likely to remain so, the Minister must have regard to any financial statement provided by the provider under clause 15.

Subdivision 4‑C—The VET quality requirements

17 Provider must maintain quality

(1) A *VET provider must operate, and continue to operate, at an appropriate level of quality for a VET provider.

(2) The Minister must not determine that a *VET provider meets an appropriate level of quality for a VET provider unless the Minister is satisfied that the provider meets the requirements set out in the *Australian Quality Training Framework.

Subdivision 4‑D—The VET fairness requirements

18 Equal benefits and opportunity requirements

A *VET provider must comply with the requirements relating to equal benefits and opportunity for students that are set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines.

19 Student grievance and review requirements

A *VET provider must comply with the requirements relating to student grievance and review procedures that are set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines.

20 Tuition assurance requirements

(1) A *VET provider must comply with the *VET tuition assurance requirements.

(2) The Minister may, by declaration in writing, exempt a specified *VET provider from the requirement in subclause (1).

(3) An exemption:

(a) is subject to such conditions as are specified in the exemption; and

(b) may be expressed to be in force for a period specified in the exemption.

Note: A body will not be exempt if a condition of the exemption is not complied with.

(4) An exemption given under this clause is not a legislative instrument.

21 VET providers to appoint review officers

(1) A *VET provider must appoint a *review officer to undertake reviews of decisions made by the provider relating to assistance under Part 2.

Note: The Secretary may delegate to a review officer of a VET provider the power to reconsider decisions of the provider under Subdivision 16‑C: see subclause 98(2).

(2) A review officer of a *VET 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 Part 2.

22 Review officers not to review own decisions

A *VET provider must ensure that a *review officer of the provider:

(a) does not review a decision that the review officer was involved in making; and

(b) in reviewing a decision of the provider, occupies a position that is senior to that occupied by any person involved in making the original decision.

23 Procedures relating to personal information

(1) A *VET provider must comply with the information privacy principles set out in section 14 of the Privacy Act 1988 in respect of *VET personal information obtained for the purposes of Part 2 of this Schedule or Chapter 4.

(2) A *VET provider must have a procedure under which a student enrolled with the provider may apply to the provider for, and receive, a copy of *VET personal information that the provider holds in relation to that student.

(3) The provider must comply with:

(a) the requirements of the *VET Provider Guidelines relating to *personal information in relation to students; and

(b) the procedure referred to in subclause (2).

Subdivision 4‑E—The VET compliance requirements

24 VET provider to provide statement of general information

(1) A *VET provider must give to the Minister such statistical and other information that the Minister by notice in writing requires from the provider in respect of:

(a) the provision of vocational education and training by the provider; and

(b) compliance by the provider with the requirements of this Schedule.

(2) The information must be provided:

(a) in a form approved by the Minister; and

(b) in accordance with such other requirements as the Minister makes.

(3) A notice under this section must not require the giving of information that a *VET provider is required to give to the Minister under clause 28.

25 Notice of events that affect provider’s ability to comply with VET quality and accountability requirements

A *VET provider must, by writing, inform the Minister of any event affecting:

(a) the provider; or

(b) a *related body corporate of the provider;

that may significantly affect the provider’s capacity to meet the *VET quality and accountability requirements.

26 Compliance assurance—provider

(1) The Minister may require a *VET provider to be audited as to compliance with any one or more of the following requirements:

(a) the *VET financial viability requirements;

(b) the *VET fairness requirements;

(d) the *VET fee requirements;

(e) other requirements for VET quality and accountability set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines.

(2) The audit must be conducted:

(a) by a body determined in writing by the Minister; and

(b) at such time or times, and in such manner, as the Minister requires.

(3) The provider must:

(a) fully co‑operate with the auditing body in the course of its audit; and

(b) pay to the auditing body any charges payable for such an audit.

(4) A determination made under paragraph (2)(a) is not a legislative instrument.

Subdivision 4‑F—The VET fee requirements

27 Determining tuition fees for all students

(1) This section applies to a *VET unit of study that a *VET provider provides or proposes to provide during a period ascertained in accordance with the *VET Provider Guidelines.

(2) The provider must determine, for the unit, the *VET tuition fees that are to apply to students who may enrol in the unit during the period.

(3) In determining *VET tuition fees under subclause (2), the provider may have regard to any matters the provider considers appropriate, other than matters specified in the *VET Provider Guidelines as matters to which a provider must not have regard.

(4) The provider must not vary a *VET tuition fee unless the provider:

(a) does so:

(i) before the date ascertained in accordance with the *VET Provider Guidelines; and

(ii) in circumstances specified in the VET Provider Guidelines; or

(b) does so with the written approval of the Minister.

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

28 Schedules of VET tuition fees

General rule

(1) A *VET provider must give the Minister a schedule of the *VET tuition fees determined under clause 27 for all the VET units of study it provides or proposes to provide, other than under *VET restricted access arrangements, 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.

(2) 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 each *VET unit of study the provider provides or is to provide; and

(b) publish the schedule for a particular period by the date ascertained in accordance with the *VET Provider Guidelines; and

(c) ensure that the schedule is available to all students enrolled, and persons seeking to enrol, with the provider on request and without charge.

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.

Replacement schedules

(3) If:

(a) the provider has given the Minister a schedule (the previous schedule) under:

(i) subclause (1) or (2A); or

(ii) this subclause; and

(b) the provider varies a *VET tuition fee in the previous schedule;

the provider must:

(i) withdraw the previous schedule; and

(ii) inform the Minister of the variation; and

(d) give the Minister a replacement schedule incorporating the variation.

Note: The provider must comply with subclause 27(4) when varying a tuition fee.

(4) Subclauses (1) to (2B) apply to the replacement schedule in a corresponding way to the way in which they apply to the previous schedule.

Division 5—When does a body cease to be a VET provider?

Subdivision 5‑A—General

29 Cessation of approval as a provider

A body ceases to be approved as a *VET provider:

(a) if the approval is revoked under Subdivision 5‑B or 5‑D; or

(b) while the approval is suspended under clause 36; or

(c) if the notice of the provider’s approval ceases to have effect under Part 5 (Parliamentary scrutiny of legislative instruments) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

Subdivision 5‑B—Revocation for cause

30 Revocation of approval if application for approval as a provider is false or misleading

The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a *VET provider if the Minister:

(a) is satisfied that the body’s application under clause 9 for approval as a VET provider contained material that was false or misleading; and

(b) complies with the requirements of clause 34.

30A Revocation of approval if body’s links to Australia are broken

The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a *VET provider if:

(a) the body ceases to be one described in paragraph 6(a); and

(b) the Minister complies with the requirements of clause 34.

31 Revocation of approval if providing education ceases to be the body’s principal purpose

The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a *VET provider if:

(a) the body’s principal purpose is no longer to provide education; and

(b) the Minister complies with the requirements of clause 34.

32 Revocation of approval as a provider if body ceases to be a registered training organisation

The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a *VET provider if:

(a) the body was listed as a registered training organisation on *NTIS at the last time the body became a VET provider; and

(b) since that time, the body has ceased to be listed as a registered training organisation on NTIS; and

32A Revocation of approval if body ceases to offer VET courses of study

The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a *VET provider if:

(a) the body no longer offers any *VET courses of study; and

(b) the Minister complies with the requirements of clause 34.

33 Revocation of approval as a provider for a breach of the VET quality and accountability requirements

(1) The Minister may revoke a body’s approval as a *VET provider if the Minister:

(a) is satisfied that the body has breached a *VET quality and accountability requirement; and

(b) is satisfied that it is appropriate to take that action (see subclause (2)); and

(2) Without limiting the matters that the Minister may consider in deciding whether it is appropriate under this clause to revoke a body’s approval as a *VET provider, the Minister may consider any or all of the following matters:

(a) whether the breach in question is of a minor or major nature;

(b) whether the breach has occurred before and, if so, how often;

(d) the impact of the breach on the *accredited VET courses provided by the body;

(e) the impact of the breach on Australia’s reputation as a provider of high quality education;

(f) any other matter set out in the *VET Provider Guidelines.

Subdivision 5‑C—Process for decisions on revocation under Subdivision 5‑B

34 Process for revoking approval as a provider for loss of status or a breach

(1) Before revoking a body’s approval as a *VET provider under Subdivision 5‑B, the Minister must give the body notice in writing:

(a) stating that the Minister is considering revoking the body’s approval; and

(b) stating the reasons why the Minister is considering revoking the body’s approval; and

(c) inviting the body to make written submissions to the Minister within 28 days concerning why the approval should not be revoked.

(2) In deciding whether or not to revoke a body’s approval under Subdivision 5‑B, the Minister must consider any submissions received from the body within the 28 day period.

(3) The Minister must notify the body in writing of his or her decision whether to revoke the body’s approval under Subdivision 5‑B. The notice:

(a) must be in writing; and

(b) must be given within the period of 28 days following the period in which submissions may have been given to the Minister under subclause (1); and

(4) If no notice is given within the period provided for in subclause (3), the Minister is taken to have decided not to revoke the approval.

(5) If the Minister decides to revoke the body’s approval:

(a) the revocation takes effect on the day specified in the notice under subclause (3); and

(b) a copy of the notice must be published in the Gazette.

35 Determination retaining approval as a provider in respect of existing students

(1) The Minister may determine, in writing, that a revocation of a body’s approval as a *VET provider under Subdivision 5‑B is of no effect for the purposes of assistance payable to the body’s students under Part 2 to the extent that the assistance relates to students of the body who have not completed the *VET courses of study in which they were enrolled with the body on the day specified for the purposes of paragraph 34(5)(a).

(2) The determination may be included in the notice of revocation under subclause 34(3).

(3) The body is taken, for the purposes of this Schedule, to continue to be a *VET provider, but only to the extent referred to in subclause (1).

(4) Subclause (3) does not prevent the Minister subsequently revoking the body’s approval as a *VET provider under this Division.

36 Suspension of approval as a provider

(1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that, with effect from a specified day, a body’s approval as a *VET provider is suspended pending the making of a decision under Subdivision 5‑B as to whether to revoke the body’s approval as a provider.

(2) A copy of the determination must be given to the body concerned.

(3) If the Minister makes a determination under subclause (1) in respect of a body, the Minister must give to the body a notice under clause 34 within 48 hours after giving a copy of the determination to the body.

(4) A determination under this clause:

(a) takes effect accordingly on the day specified in the determination; and

(b) ceases to have effect if the Minister decides not to revoke the body’s approval as a *VET provider.

37 Determination retaining approval as a provider in respect of existing students following suspension of approval

(1) The Minister may determine, in writing, that a suspension of a body’s approval as a *VET provider under clause 36 is of no effect for the purposes of assistance payable to the body’s students under Part 2 to the extent that the assistance relates to students of the body who have not completed the *VET courses of study in which they were enrolled with the body on the day specified for the purposes of paragraph 36(4)(a).

(2) A copy of the determination must be given to the body concerned.

(3) The body is taken, for the purposes of this Schedule, to continue to be a *VET provider, but only to the extent referred to in subclause (1).

(4) Subclause (3) does not prevent the Minister subsequently revoking the body’s approval as a *VET provider under this Division.

(5) A determination made under subclause (1) is not a legislative instrument.

38 Revocations are legislative instruments

(1) A notice of revocation under subclause 34(3) is a legislative instrument.

(2) A decision of the Minister to revoke the approval of a *VET provider takes effect at the later of the following times:

(a) on the day immediately after the last day on which a resolution referred to in subsection 42(1) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 disallowing the notice could be passed;

(b) the day specified in the notice of revocation under subclause 34(3) as the day on which the revocation takes effect.

Subdivision 5‑D—Revocation of approval on application

39 Revocation of approval as a provider on application

(1) The Minister may revoke the approval of a body as a *VET provider if the body requests the Minister in writing to revoke the approval.

(2) The request must be given to the Minister at least 30 days before the day on which the revocation is requested to have effect.

(3) The Minister must cause the body to be notified of the revocation. The notice must:

(a) be in writing; and

(b) be given to the body at least 14 days before the day on which the revocation is to take effect.

(4) A notice of revocation under subclause (3) is a legislative instrument.

(5) The revocation has effect on the day requested unless another day is specified in the notice under subclause (3).

Subdivision 5‑E—Notice of approval ceasing to have effect under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003

39A Notice of approval ceasing to have effect under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003

(1) This clause applies if:

(a) a decision of the Minister to approve a body corporate as a *VET provider has taken effect; and

(b) the body ceases to be approved as a VET provider because the notice of the approval ceases to have effect under Part 5 (Parliamentary scrutiny of legislative instruments) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

(2) The fact that the body ceases to be approved as a *VET provider does not:

(a) affect:

(i) the operation of this Act, or any instrument made under this Act, in relation to the body before the cessation; or

(ii) anything duly done or suffered in relation to the body before the cessation; or

(b) affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred before the cessation; or

(d) affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment.

Part 2—VET FEE‑HELP assistance

Division 6—Introduction

40 What this Part is about

A student may be entitled to VET FEE‑HELP assistance for VET units of study if certain requirements are met.

The amount of assistance to which the student may be entitled is based on his or her VET tuition fees for the units, but there is a limit on the total amount of assistance that the student can receive. The assistance is paid to a VET provider to discharge the student’s liability to pay his or her VET tuition fees.

Note: Amounts of assistance under this Part may form part of a person’s HELP debts that the Commonwealth recovers under Chapter 4.

41 The VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines

*VET FEE‑HELP assistance is also dealt with in the *VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines are made by the Minister under clause 99.

42 The VET Tuition Fee Guidelines

*VET tuition fees are also dealt with in the *VET Tuition Fee Guidelines.

Note: The VET Tuition Fee Guidelines are made by the Minister under clause 99.

Division 7—Who is entitled to VET FEE‑HELP assistance?

Subdivision 7‑A—Basic rules

43 Entitlement to VET FEE‑HELP assistance

A student is entitled to *VET FEE‑HELP assistance for a *VET unit of study if:

(a) the student meets the citizenship or residency requirements under clause 44; and

(b) the student’s *FEE‑HELP balance is greater than zero; and

(d) the unit meets the course requirements under clause 45; and

(e) the unit is, or is to be, undertaken as part of a *VET course of study; and

(f) the student:

(i) enrolled in the unit on or before the census date for the unit; and

(ii) at the end of the census date, remained so enrolled; and

(g) the student *meets the tax file number requirements (see clause 80); and

(h) the student has, on or before the census date, completed, signed and given to an *appropriate officer of the *VET provider a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit or, where the VET course of study of which the unit forms a part is, or is to be, undertaken with the provider, in relation to the VET course of study; and

(i) the student meets any other requirements set out in the *VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines.

Note: Clause 45A affects whether a person undertakes a VET unit of study as part of a VET course of study.

44 Citizenship or residency requirements

(1) The citizenship or residency requirements for *VET FEE‑HELP assistance for a *VET unit of study are that the student in question is:

(a) an Australian citizen; or

(b) a *permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit.

(2) In determining, for the purpose of paragraph (1)(b), whether the student will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit, disregard any period of residence outside Australia that:

(a) cannot reasonably be regarded as indicating an intention to reside outside Australia for the duration of the unit; or

(b) is required for the purpose of completing a requirement of that unit.

45 Course requirements

(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; 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).

Note: For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), clause 45A affects whether a person undertakes a VET unit of study as part of a VET course of study.

(1A) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), the *VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines:

(a) may set out different requirements relating to different students undertaking the *VET unit of study; and

(b) may set out requirements relating to only some students undertaking the VET unit of study (while not setting out requirements relating to other students undertaking the unit).

(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine that:

(a) a specified course provided by a specified *VET provider is a course in relation to which *VET FEE‑HELP assistance is unavailable; or

(b) all courses provided by a specified VET provider are courses in relation to which VET FEE‑HELP assistance is unavailable.

(3) In deciding whether to make a determination under subclause (2), the Minister must have regard to the effect of the determination on students undertaking the course or courses.

(4) A determination of the Minister under subclause (2) must not be made later than 6 months before the day that students are able next to commence the specified course, or courses, with the provider.

45A VET unit of study not undertaken as part of VET course of study

For the purposes of paragraphs 43(e) and 45(1)(a), a student is taken not to undertake a *VET unit of study as part of a *VET course of study if undertaking the unit involves the student doing more than he or she needs to do to be awarded whichever of the following the course leads to:

(a) a *VET diploma;

(b) a *VET advanced diploma;

(d) a *VET graduate certificate.

Subdivision 7‑B—FEE‑HELP balances

46 Main case of re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance

(1) If clause 51 applies to re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance with an amount equal to the amounts of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance that the person has received for a *VET unit of study, then this clause does not apply in relation to that unit.

Note: For FEE‑HELP balance, see section 104‑15, and for FEE‑HELP limit, see section 104‑20.

(2) A *VET provider must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance with an amount equal to the amounts of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance that the person received for a *VET unit of study if:

(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit with the provider; and

(b) 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

(d) the person applies in writing to the provider for re‑crediting of the FEE‑HELP balance; and

(e) either:

(i) the application is made before the end of the application period under clause 49; or

Note: A VET FEE‑HELP debt relating to a VET unit of study will be remitted if the FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see section 137‑18.

(3) If the provider is unable to act for one or more of the purposes of subclause (2), or clause 48, 49 or 50, the *Secretary may act as if one or more of the references in those provisions to the provider were a reference to the Secretary.

47 Re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance—no tax file number

(1) A *VET provider must, on the *Secretary’s behalf, re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance with an amount equal to the amounts of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance that the person received for a *VET unit of study if:

(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit with the provider; and

(b) subclause 89(1) applies to the person in relation to the unit.

Note: A VET FEE‑HELP debt relating to a VET unit of study will be remitted if the FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see section 137‑18.

(2) The *Secretary may re‑credit the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance under subclause (1) if the provider is unable to do so.

48 Special circumstances

For the purposes of paragraph 46(2)(c), special circumstances apply to the person if and only if the *VET provider receiving the application is satisfied that circumstances apply to the person that:

(a) are beyond the person’s control; and

(b) do not make their full impact on the person until on or after the *census date for the *VET unit of study in question; and

(c) make it impracticable for the person to complete the requirements for the unit in the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.

49 Application period

(1) If:

(a) the person applying under paragraph 46(2)(d) for the re‑crediting of the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance in relation to a *VET unit of study has withdrawn his or her enrolment in the unit; and

(b) the *VET provider gives notice to the person that the withdrawal has taken effect;

the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the day specified in the notice as the day the withdrawal takes effect.

(2) If subclause (1) does not apply, the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.

50 Dealing with applications

(1) If:

(a) the application is made under paragraph 46(2)(d) before the end of the relevant application period; or

(b) the *VET provider waives the requirement that the application be made before the end of that period, on the ground that it would not be, or was not, possible for the application to be made before the end of that period;

the provider must, as soon as practicable, consider the matter to which the application relates and notify the applicant of the decision on the application.

(2) The notice must include a statement of the reasons for the decision.

Note: Refusals of applications are reviewable under Division 16.

51 Re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance if provider ceases to provide course of which unit forms part

(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit with the provider; and

(c) the *VET tuition assurance requirements applied to the provider at the time the provider ceased to provide the unit; and

(d) the person chose the option designated under the VET tuition assurance requirements as VET tuition fee repayment in relation to the unit.

Note: A VET FEE‑HELP debt relating to a VET unit of study will be remitted if the FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see subsection 137‑18(4).

(2) The *Secretary may re‑credit the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance under subclause (1) if the provider is unable to do so.

Division 8—How are amounts of VET FEE‑HELP assistance worked out?

52 The amount of VET FEE‑HELP assistance for a VET unit of study

The amount of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which a student is entitled for a *VET unit of study is the difference between:

(a) the student’s *VET tuition fee for the unit; and

(b) the sum of any *up‑front VET payments made in relation to the unit.

Note: A lesser amount may be payable because of clause 54.

53 Up‑front payments

(1) An up‑front VET payment, in relation to a *VET unit of study for which a student is liable to pay a *VET tuition fee, is a payment of all or part of the student’s VET tuition fee for the unit, other than a payment of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance under this Part.

(2) The payment must be made on or before the *census date for the unit.

54 Amounts of VET FEE‑HELP assistance and FEE‑HELP assistance must not exceed the FEE‑HELP balance

Amount of VET FEE‑HELP assistance for one unit

(1) The amount of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which a student is entitled for a *VET unit of study is an amount equal to the student’s *FEE‑HELP balance on the *census date for the unit if:

(a) there is no other:

(i) VET unit of study, with the same census date, for which the student is entitled to VET FEE‑HELP assistance; or

(ii) unit of study, with the same census date, for which the student is entitled to *FEE‑HELP assistance; and

(b) the amount of VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which the student would be entitled under clause 52 for the unit would exceed that FEE‑HELP balance.

Amount of VET FEE‑HELP assistance for more than one unit

(2) If the sum of:

(a) the amount of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which a student would be entitled under clause 52 for a *VET unit of study; and

(b) any other amounts of:

(i) VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which the student would be entitled under that clause for other units that have the same *census date as that unit; and

(ii) *FEE‑HELP assistance to which the student would be entitled under clause 52 for other units that have the same census date as that unit;

would exceed the student’s *FEE‑HELP balance on the census date for the unit, then, despite subclause (1) of this clause, the total amount of VET FEE‑HELP assistance and FEE‑HELP assistance to which the student is entitled for all of those units is an amount equal to that FEE‑HELP balance.

Example: Kath has a FEE‑HELP balance of $2,000, and is enrolled in 4 units with the same census date. Kath’s VET tuition fee for each unit is $600. The total amount of VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which Kath is entitled for the units is $2,000, even though the total amount of her VET tuition fees for the units is $2,400.

(3) If the student has enrolled in the units with more than one *VET provider or higher education provider, the student must notify each provider of the proportion of the total amount of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance or *FEE‑HELP assistance that is to be payable in relation to the units in which the student has enrolled with that provider.

Division 9—How are amounts of VET FEE‑HELP assistance paid?

Note: Division 11 also deals with payments by the Commonwealth under this Schedule.

55 Payments

If a student is entitled to an amount of *VET FEE‑HELP assistance for a *VET unit of study with a *VET provider, the Commonwealth must:

(a) as a benefit to the student, lend to the student the amount of VET FEE‑HELP assistance; and

(b) pay the amount lent to the provider in discharge of the student’s liability to pay his or her *VET tuition fee for the unit.

Note: Amounts of assistance under this Part may form part of a person’s HELP debts that the Commonwealth recovers under Chapter 4.

56 Effect of FEE‑HELP balance being re‑credited

(1) If, under subclause 46(2) or 47(1), or clause 51, a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance is re‑credited with an amount relating to *VET FEE‑HELP assistance for a *VET unit of study, the provider must pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to the amount of VET FEE‑HELP assistance to which the person was entitled for the unit.

Note: The provider must repay the amount under subclause (1) even if the person’s FEE‑HELP balance is not increased by an amount equal to the amount re‑credited.

(2) Subclause (1) does not apply to the provider if:

(a) the person’s *FEE‑HELP balance was re‑credited under subclause 46(2) (main case of re‑crediting a person’s FEE‑HELP balance); and

(b) 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 Provider Guidelines may, in setting out the *VET tuition assurance requirements, specify, in relation to the re‑crediting of a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance in circumstances to which subclause (2) applies:

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

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

Part 3—Administration

Division 10—Introduction

57 What this Part is about

This Part deals with the following administrative matters:

• payments made by the Commonwealth under this Schedule (see Division 11);

• administrative requirements that are imposed on VET providers (see Division 12);

• electronic communication between VET providers and students (see Division 13);

• protection of VET personal information gained in the administration of Part 2 of this Schedule (see Division 14) and Chapter 4;

• tax file numbers of students (see Division 15);

• reconsideration and administrative review of certain decisions (see Division 16).

58 The VET Administration Guidelines

Administrative matters are also dealt with in the *VET Administration Guidelines. The provisions of this Part may indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.

Note: The VET Administration Guidelines are made by the Minister under clause 99.

Division 11—Payments by the Commonwealth

59 What this Division is about

This Division contains general provisions relating to how the Commonwealth makes payments under this Schedule to VET providers.

60 Time and manner of payments

(1) Amounts payable by the Commonwealth to a *VET provider under this Schedule are to be paid in such a way, including payment in instalments, as the Minister determines.

(2) Payments of amounts payable by the Commonwealth to a *VET provider under this Schedule are to be made at such times as the *Secretary determines.

61 Advances

(1) The *Secretary may determine that an advance is to be made to a *VET provider on account of an amount that is expected to become payable under a provision of this Schedule to the provider.

(2) If the advance exceeds the amount that becomes payable, an amount equal to the excess may be:

(a) deducted from any amount that is payable, or to be paid, to the provider under this Schedule; or

(b) recovered by the Commonwealth from the provider as a debt due to the Commonwealth.

(3) If the provider uses the advance for a purpose other than that for which it was given, an amount equal to the advance may be:

(a) deducted from any amount that is payable, or to be paid, to the provider under this Schedule; or

(b) recovered by the Commonwealth from the provider as a debt due to the Commonwealth.

(4) The conditions that would be applicable to a payment of the amount on account of which the advance is made are applicable to the advance.

62 Rounding of amounts

If an amount payable by the Commonwealth under this Schedule is an amount made up of dollars and cents, round the amount down to the nearest dollar.

Division 12—Administrative requirements on VET providers

63 What this Division is about

This Division imposes a number of administrative requirements on VET providers.

64 Notices

Who gets a notice?

(1) A *VET provider must give such notices as are required by the *VET Administration Guidelines to a person:

(a) who is enrolled with the provider for a *VET unit of study; and

(b) who is seeking Commonwealth assistance under this Schedule for the unit.

Contents of notice

(2) A notice must contain the information set out in the *VET Administration Guidelines as information that must be provided in such a notice.

Date by which notice to be given

(3) A notice must be given within the period set out in the *VET Administration Guidelines.

Purpose and effect of notice

(4) A notice under this clause is given for the purpose only of providing information to a person. Any liability or entitlement of a person under this Schedule is not affected by:

(a) the failure of a *VET provider to give a notice under this clause; or

(b) the failure of a VET provider to give such a notice by the date required under the *VET Administration Guidelines; or

65 Correction of notices

VET provider to correct notice

(1) If, after giving a person a notice under clause 64, a *VET provider is satisfied that a material particular in the notice was not, or has ceased to be, correct, the provider must give a further written notice to the person setting out the correct particular.

Person may request correction of notice

(2) A person who receives a notice from a *VET provider under clause 64 may give to the provider a written request for the notice to be corrected in respect of a material particular if the person considers that the notice was not, or has ceased to be, correct in that particular.

(3) The request must be given to an *appropriate officer of the provider either:

(a) within 14 days after the day the notice was given; or

(b) within such further period as the provider allows for the giving of the request.

(4) The request must:

(a) specify the particular in the notice that the person considers is incorrect; and

(b) specify the reasons the person has for considering that the particular is incorrect.

(5) The making of the request does not affect any liability or entitlement of the person under this Schedule.

VET provider to process request

(6) If a *VET provider receives a request under this clause the provider must, as soon as practicable:

(a) determine the matter to which the request relates; and

(b) notify the person in writing of the provider’s determination; and

(c) if the provider determines that a material particular in the notice was not, or has ceased to be, correct—give a further notice under subclause (1).

66 Charging VET tuition fees

A *VET provider must not require a *domestic student who is enrolling in a unit in circumstances that make it a replacement unit within the meaning of the *VET tuition assurance requirements to pay to the provider the student’s *VET tuition fee for the unit.

67 Determining census dates

(1) A *VET provider must, for each *VET unit of study it provides or proposes to provide during a period ascertained in accordance with the *VET Administration Guidelines, determine for that period a particular date to be the *census date for the unit.

Note: If a VET provider provides the same unit over different periods, the unit is taken to be a different VET unit of study in respect of each period. Therefore the provider will have to determine a separate census date in respect of each period.

(2) A date determined under subclause (1) must not occur less than 20% of the way through the period during which the unit is undertaken.

(3) The provider must publish the *census date for the unit by the date ascertained in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, the *VET Administration Guidelines.

Variations

(4) The provider must not vary the *census date for the unit after publication under subclause (3), unless the provider:

(a) does so:

(i) before the date ascertained in accordance with the *VET Administration Guidelines; and

(ii) in circumstances specified in the VET Administration Guidelines; or

(b) does so with the written approval of the Minister.

(5) If paragraph (4)(a) applies, the provider must publish the variation by the date ascertained in accordance with, and in the manner specified in, the *VET Administration Guidelines.

(6) If paragraph (4)(b) applies, the provider must publish the variation by the date, and in the manner, specified by the Minister in the approval.

68 Communications with the Commonwealth concerning students etc.

In communications under, or for the purposes of, this Schedule between the Commonwealth and a *VET provider concerning a person who:

(a) is enrolled, or seeking to enrol, in a *VET unit of study with the provider; and

(b) has indicated that the person is seeking Commonwealth assistance under this Schedule for the unit;

the provider must use any identifier for that person that the *Secretary has indicated must be used in such communications.

Division 13—Electronic communications

69 What this Division is about

Certain documents that this Schedule requires or permits to be given between students and VET providers may be transmitted electronically.

70 Guidelines may deal with electronic communications

(1) The *VET Administration Guidelines may make provision for or in relation to requiring or permitting information or documents to be given by students to *VET providers, or by VET providers to students, in accordance with particular information technology requirements:

(a) on a particular kind of data storage device; or

(b) by means of a particular kind of electronic communication.

(2) The *VET Administration Guidelines may make provision for or in relation to requiring, in relation to an electronic communication from a student to a *VET provider:

(a) that the communication contain an electronic signature (however described); or

(b) that the communication contain a unique identification in an electronic form; or

(c) that a particular method be used to identify the originator of the communication and to indicate the originator’s approval of the information communicated.

(3) The reference in subclause (1) to giving information includes a reference to anything that is giving information for the purposes of section 9 of the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

(4) In this clause:

data storage device has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

electronic communication has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

information has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

information technology requirements has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

Division 14—Protection of VET personal information

71 What this Division is about

A VET officer who discloses, copies or records VET personal information otherwise than in the course of official employment, or causes unauthorised access to or modification of VET personal information, commits an offence.

72 Meaning of VET personal information

VET personal information is:

(b) obtained or created by a *VET officer for the purposes of Part 2 of this Schedule and Chapter 4.

73 Use of VET personal information

A *VET officer commits an offence if:

(a) the officer either:

(i) discloses information; or

(ii) makes a copy or other record of information; and

(b) the information is *VET personal information; and

(d) the disclosure did not occur, or the copy or record was not made, in the course of that official employment.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

74 Meanings of VET officer etc. and official employment

Meaning of VET officer

(1) A person is a VET officer if:

(a) the person is or was a *Commonwealth officer (see subsection 179‑15(2)); or

(aa) the person is or was an *officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre (see subsection 179‑15(3B)); or

(b) the person is or was an *officer of a *VET provider (see subclause (2)).

(2) A person is an officer of a VET provider if the person is:

(a) an officer or employee of the provider; or

(b) a person who, although not an officer or employee of the provider, performs services for or on behalf of the provider.

Meaning of official employment

(3) Official employment of a *VET officer is:

(a) for a *Commonwealth officer—the performance of duties or functions, or the exercise of powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Schedule; or

(aa) for an *officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre—service as such an officer; or

(b) for an *officer of a VET provider—service as such an officer.

75 When information is disclosed in the course of official employment

Without limiting the matters that are disclosures that occur in the course of a *VET officer’s *official employment for the purposes of paragraph 73(d), the following disclosures are taken to be disclosures that occur in the course of a VET officer’s official employment:

(a) disclosure by a *Commonwealth officer of *VET personal information to another Commonwealth officer to assist that other officer in the other officer’s official employment;

(b) disclosure by a VET officer of VET personal information to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in connection with a *reviewable VET decision;

(c) disclosure by a Commonwealth officer of VET personal information to an *officer of a VET provider to assist the provider’s officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Schedule;

(ca) disclosure by a Commonwealth officer of VET personal information to an *officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre to assist the officer of the Tertiary Admission Centre in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Schedule;

(d) disclosure by an officer of a VET provider of VET personal information to a Commonwealth officer to assist the Commonwealth officer in the Commonwealth officer’s official employment;

(e) disclosure by an officer of a VET provider of VET personal information to an officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre to assist the officer of the Tertiary Admission Centre in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Schedule;

(f) disclosure by an officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre of VET personal information to a Commonwealth officer to assist the Commonwealth officer in the Commonwealth officer’s official employment;

(g) disclosure by an officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre of VET personal information to an officer of a VET provider to assist the provider’s officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Schedule.

76 Commissioner may disclose information

(1) Despite anything in an Act of which the *Commissioner has the general administration, the Commissioner, or a person authorised by the Commissioner, may communicate *VET personal information to a *VET officer for use by that officer:

(a) in the case of a *Commonwealth officer—in the course of the officer’s *official employment; or

(aa) in the case of an *officer of a Tertiary Admission Centre—to assist the officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Schedule; or

(b) in the case of an *officer of a *VET provider—to assist the officer in performing duties or functions, or in exercising powers, under, or for the purposes of, this Schedule.

(2) Despite subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code, in a prosecution for an offence against an Act of which the *Commissioner has the general administration, the defendant does not bear an evidential burden in relation to whether this clause applies to a communication of *VET personal information.

77 Oath or affirmation to protect information

(1) A *VET officer must, if and when required by the *Secretary or the *Commissioner to do so, make an oath or affirmation to protect information in accordance with this Division.

(2) The *Secretary may determine, in writing:

(a) the form of the oath or affirmation that the Secretary will require; and

(b) the manner in which the oath or affirmation must be made.

(3) The *Commissioner may determine, in writing:

(a) the form of the oath or affirmation that the Commissioner will require; and

(b) the manner in which the oath or affirmation must be made.

78 Unauthorised access to, or modification of, VET personal information

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person causes any unauthorised access to, or modification of, *VET personal information:

(i) that is held in a computer; and

(ii) to which access is restricted by an access control system associated with a function of the computer; and

(b) the person intends to cause the access or modification; and

(d) either of the following apply:

(i) the VET personal information is held in a computer of a *VET provider;

(ii) the VET personal information is held on behalf of a provider;

(iii) the VET personal information is held on a computer of a *Tertiary Admission Centre;

(iv) the VET personal information is held on behalf of a Tertiary Admission Centre.

Penalty: 2 years imprisonment.

(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (1)(d).

Division 15—Tax file numbers

Subdivision 15‑A—Introduction

79 What this Division is about

Requirements relating to students’ tax file numbers apply to assistance under Part 2 that gives rise to VET FEE‑HELP debts.

The Commissioner may notify VET providers of matters relating to tax file numbers.

VET providers have obligations relating to notifying students about tax file number requirements.

VET providers have obligations relating to cancelling the enrolment of students who do not have tax file numbers.

Note: Part VA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 provides for issuing, cancelling or altering tax file numbers.

Subdivision 15‑B—What are the tax file number requirements for assistance under Part 2?

80 Meeting the tax file number requirements

(1) A student who is enrolled, or proposes to enrol, with a *VET provider in a *VET unit of study meets the tax file number requirements for assistance under Part 2 if:

(a) the student notifies his or her *tax file number to an *appropriate officer of the provider, and the provider is satisfied (in accordance with subclause (4)) that this number is a valid tax file number; or

(b) the student gives to the officer a certificate from the *Commissioner stating that the student has applied to the Commissioner asking the Commissioner to issue a tax file number to the student.

(2) Compliance by a person with subclause (1) in relation to a *VET course of study is to be ignored in determining whether there has been compliance by the person with subclause (1) in relation to any other VET course of study.

(2A) If the student is seeking *VET FEE‑HELP assistance for a *VET unit of study, he or she does not meet the tax file number requirements for the assistance unless he or she complies with subclause (1) on or before the *census date for the unit.

(3) A notification under paragraph (1)(a) may be included in a *request for Commonwealth assistance that the student has given to the provider in relation to:

(a) the *VET unit of study for which the assistance is sought; or

(b) the *VET course of study of which the unit forms a part; or

(4) The *Commissioner may issue guidelines about the circumstances in which a *VET provider is to be, or is not to be, satisfied that a number is a valid *tax file number for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a).

(5) A certificate under paragraph (1)(b) must be in a form approved by the *Commissioner.

(6) A guideline issued under subclause (4) is a legislative instrument.

81 Who is an appropriate officer?

An appropriate officer of a *VET provider, means 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 an appropriate officer of the provider for the purposes of this Schedule.

82 Student to notify tax file number when issued

If a student *meets the tax file number requirements for the assistance under paragraph 80(1)(b):

(a) the student must notify his or her *tax file number to an *appropriate officer of the *VET provider within 21 days from the day on which the *Commissioner issues the tax file number to the student; and

(b) the provider must be satisfied (in accordance with subclause 80(4)) that this number is a valid tax file number.

Subdivision 15‑C—In what circumstances can VET providers be notified of tax file number matters?

83 When tax file numbers are issued etc.

The *Commissioner may give to a *VET provider written notice of the *tax file number of a student who is enrolled in a *VET course of study with the provider if the Commissioner:

(a) issues the tax file number to the student; or

(b) refuses to issue a tax file number to the student on the ground that the student already has a tax file number.

84 When tax file numbers are altered

(1) The *Commissioner may give to a *VET provider written notice of the *tax file number of a student who is enrolled in a *VET course of study with the provider if the Commissioner issues a new tax file number to the student in place of a tax file number that has been withdrawn.

(2) That new number is taken to be the number that the student notified to the provider.

85 When tax file numbers are incorrectly notified—students with tax file numbers

(1) If the *Commissioner is satisfied:

(a) that the *tax file number that a student has notified to a *VET provider:

(i) has been cancelled or withdrawn since the notification was given; or

(ii) is otherwise wrong; and

(b) that the student has a tax file number;

the Commissioner may give to the provider written notice of the incorrect notification and of the student’s tax file number.

(2) That number is taken to be the number that the student notified to the provider.

86 When tax file numbers are incorrectly notified—students without tax file numbers

(1) If:

(a) the *Commissioner is satisfied that the *tax file number that a student notified to a *VET provider:

(i) has been cancelled since the notification was given; or

(ii) is for any other reason not the student’s tax file number; and

(b) the Commissioner is not satisfied that the student has a tax file number;

the Commissioner may give to the provider a written notice informing the provider accordingly.

(2) The *Commissioner must give a copy of any notice under subclause (1) to the student concerned, together with a written statement of the reasons for the decision to give the notice.

Note: Decisions to give notice under subclause (1) are reviewable under section 202F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.

87 When applications are refused or tax file numbers are cancelled

(1) If the *Commissioner:

(a) refuses a student’s application for the issue of a *tax file number; or

(b) cancels a tax file number issued to a student;

the Commissioner may give to a *VET provider with which the student is enrolled in a *VET course of study a written notice informing the provider accordingly.

(2) The *Commissioner must give a copy of any notice under subclause (1) to the student concerned, together with a written statement of the reasons for the decision to give the notice.

Note: Decisions to give notice under subclause (1) are reviewable under section 202F of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.

Subdivision 15‑D—Other provisions relating to tax file numbers

88 Giving information about tax file number requirements

Requests for VET FEE‑HELP assistance—requirements on VET providers

(1) A *VET provider must notify a person in writing how to *meet the tax file number requirements if:

(a) the person is enrolled in a *VET unit of study with the provider; and

(b) the person has, on or before the *census date for the unit, completed, signed and given to the *appropriate officer of the provider a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to the unit or, where the *VET course of study of which the unit forms a part is undertaken with the provider, in relation to the VET course of study; and

(d) the request does not include a number that purports to be the person’s *tax file number.

(2) The provider must notify the person under subclause (1):

(a) on or before the *census date for the unit; or

(b) within 7 days after the person gives the provider the *request for Commonwealth assistance;

whichever is earlier.

(3) A request for Commonwealth assistance, in relation to a person enrolling in a *VET unit of study means a document:

(a) 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 *VET course of study undertaken with the provider, in relation to the course of study; and

(b) that is in the form approved by the Minister.

Cases where there is no obligation to notify

(4) This clause does not apply to the person if the person, in the *request for Commonwealth assistance, requests *VET FEE‑HELP assistance but the person is not entitled to the assistance.

89 No entitlement to VET FEE‑HELP assistance for students without tax file numbers

(1) This subclause applies to a person in relation to a *VET unit of study if:

(a) the person is enrolled with a *VET provider in the unit; and

(b) the provider receives notice under clause 86 or 87 to the effect that the person does not have, or no longer has, a *tax file number; and

(c) at the end of 28 days after the provider receives that notice, the provider has not been notified of a number that the provider is satisfied (in accordance with subclause (3)) is a valid tax file number; and

(d) the person is entitled to *VET FEE‑HELP assistance for the unit (ignoring paragraph 43(1)(h)).

Note: The person’s FEE‑HELP balance in relation to the unit is re‑credited: see subclause 47(1).

(2) A *VET provider must, in deciding whether it is satisfied that a number is a valid *tax file number for the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), comply with the guidelines issued by the *Commissioner under subclause 80(4).

(3) A *VET provider must comply with any requirements, set out in guidelines issued by the *Commissioner, relating to procedures for informing persons of the need to obtain a valid *tax file number where the persons may be affected by subclause (1) applying to them.

(4) A guideline issued under subclause (3) is a legislative instrument.

Division 16—Review of decisions

Subdivision 16‑A—Introduction

90 What this Division is about

Some decisions made under this Schedule are subject to reconsideration and then review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Subdivision 16‑B—Which decisions are subject to review?

91 Reviewable VET decisions etc.

The following table sets out:

(a) the reviewable VET decisions under this Schedule; and

(b) the decision maker, for the purposes of this Division, in respect of each of those decisions.

Reviewable VET decisions
1	Refusal to re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance	subclause 46(2)	(a) the VET provider with whom the student is enrolled in the unit; or (b) if the Secretary made the decision to refuse the re‑crediting—the Secretary

Reviewable VET decisions

Item

Decision

Provision under which decision is made

Decision maker

Refusal to re‑credit a person’s *FEE‑HELP balance

subclause 46(2)

(a) the *VET provider with whom the student is enrolled in the unit; or

(b) if the *Secretary made the decision to refuse the re‑crediting—the Secretary

Note: The decisions referred to in item 1 of the table are made by a VET provider on the Secretary’s behalf.

92 Deadlines for making reviewable VET decisions

If:

(a) this Schedule provides for a person to apply to a *decision maker to make a *reviewable VET decision; and

(b) a period is specified under this Schedule for giving notice of the decision to the applicant; and

the decision maker is taken, for the purposes of this Schedule, to have made a decision to reject the application.

93 Decision maker must give reasons for reviewable VET decisions

(1) If this Schedule requires the *decision maker to notify a person of the making of a *reviewable VET decision, the notice must include reasons for the decision.

(2) Subclause (1) does not affect an obligation, imposed upon the *decision maker by any other law, to give reasons for a decision.

Subdivision 16‑C—How are decisions reconsidered?

94 Reviewer of decisions

(1) The reviewer of a *reviewable VET decision is:

(a) if the *decision maker was a *VET provider acting on behalf of the *Secretary—the Secretary; or

(b) in any other case—the decision maker, but see subclause (2).

(2) If:

(a) a *reviewable VET decision was made by a delegate of a *decision maker; and

(b) the decision is to be reconsidered by a delegate of the decision maker;

then the delegate who reconsiders the decision must be a person who:

(d) occupies a position that is senior to that occupied by any person involved in making the decision.

Note: The Secretary may delegate to a review officer of a VET provider the power to reconsider reviewable VET decisions made under Part 2: see subclause 98(2).

95 Reviewer may reconsider reviewable VET decisions

(1) The *reviewer of a *reviewable VET decision may reconsider the decision if the reviewer is satisfied that there is sufficient reason to do so.

(2) The *reviewer may reconsider the decision even if:

(a) an application for reconsideration of the decision has been made under clause 96; or

(b) the decision has been confirmed, varied or set aside under clause 96 and an application has been made under clause 97 for review of the decision.

(3) After reconsidering the decision, the *decision maker must:

(a) confirm the decision; or

(b) vary the decision; or

(4) The *reviewer’s decision (the decision on review) to confirm, vary or set aside the decision takes effect:

(a) on the day specified in the decision on review; or

(b) if a day is not specified—on the day on which the decision on review was made.

(5) The *reviewer must give written notice of the decision on review to the person to whom that decision relates.

(6) The notice:

(a) must be given within a reasonable period after the decision is made; and

(b) must contain a statement of the reasons for the *reviewer’s decision on review.

Note: Section 27A of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 requires the person to be notified of the person’s review rights.

96 Reconsideration of reviewable VET decisions on request

(1) A person whose interests are affected by a *reviewable VET decision may request the *reviewer to reconsider the decision.

(3) The notice must set out the reasons for making the request.

(4) After receiving the request, the *reviewer must reconsider the decision and:

(a) confirm the decision; or

(b) vary the decision; or

(5) The *reviewer’s decision (the decision on review) to confirm, vary or set aside the decision takes effect:

(a) on the day specified in the decision on review; or

(b) if a day is not specified—on the day on which the decision on review was made.

(6) The *reviewer must give the person written notice of the decision on review.

(7) The notice:

(a) must be given within a reasonable period after the decision on review is made; and

(b) must contain a statement of the reasons for the decision on review.

(8) The *reviewer is taken, for the purposes of this Division, to have confirmed the decision if the reviewer does not give notice of a decision to the person within 45 days after receiving the person’s request.

Note: Section 27A of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 requires the person to be notified of the person’s review rights.

Subdivision 16‑D—Which decisions are subject to AAT review?

97 AAT review of reviewable VET decisions

An application may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for the review of a *reviewable VET decision that has been confirmed, varied or set aside under clause 95 or 96.

Part 4—Miscellaneous

98 Delegations by Secretary

(1) The *Secretary may, in writing, delegate to an APS employee in the Department all or any of the powers of the Secretary under clause 99.

Note: Section 238‑5 provides for the Minister to delegate his or her powers under this Act.

(2) The *Secretary may, in writing, delegate to a *review officer of a *VET provider the Secretary’s powers under Subdivision 16‑C to reconsider *reviewable VET decisions made by the provider relating to Part 2.

(3) In exercising powers under the delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the *Secretary.

99 VET Guidelines

(1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Guidelines, specified in the second column of the table, providing for matters:

(a) required or permitted by the corresponding provisions specified in the third column of the table to be provided; or

(b) necessary or convenient to be provided in order to carry out or give effect to those provisions.

Guidelines
Item	Guidelines	Provisions
1	*VET Provider Guidelines	Part 1
2	*VET FEE‑HELP Guidelines	Section 137‑18 and Part 2
3	*VET Tuition Fee Guidelines	Part 2
4	*VET Administration Guidelines	Part 3

Indexation

(2) Guidelines may provide for the indexation of any or all amounts in the Guidelines, using the method of indexation set out in Part 5‑6.

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Higher Education Support Act 2003	149, 2003	19 Dec 2003	Ss. 1‑10–238‑15 and Schedule 1: 1 Jan 2004 Remainder: Royal Assent
Higher Education Legislation Amendment Act 2004	45, 2004	21 Apr 2004	21 Apr 2004	—
Higher Education Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2004	114, 2004	13 July 2004	Schedule 2 (items 39–45, 80): 14 July 2004 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 2 (item 85)
Higher Education Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 2004	157, 2004	17 Dec 2004	Schedule 1 (items 1–43, 46–52): Royal Assent Schedule 1 (items 44, 45): (a)	—
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 1) Act 2005	56, 2005	25 May 2005	Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 (items 1, 3–17): Royal Assent Schedule 2 (item 2): (b)	Sch. 2 (items 15–17)
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005	83, 2005	6 July 2005	Schedule 1 (items 1–50): Royal Assent Schedule 1 (items 51–59): 3 Aug 2005 Schedule 1 (items 60, 61): (c)	Sch. 1 (items 2, 12, 35, 47, 49) Sch. 1 (item 23) (am. by 143, 2005, Sch. 7 [item 92])
as amended by
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 3) Act 2005	143, 2005	14 Dec 2005	Schedule 7 (items 50, 92): (see 143, 2005 below)	—
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Workplace Relations Requirements) Act 2005	139, 2005	18 Nov 2005	19 Nov 2005	Sch. 1 (item 2)
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 3) Act 2005	143, 2005	14 Dec 2005	Schedule 3: 28 Dec 2005 Schedule 6: 23 Nov 2004 Schedule 7 (items 1–6, 8, 10, 12–14, 16–36, 39–43, 45, 46, 48–56, 59–81, 83–91): (d) Schedule 7 (item 7): (d) Schedule 7 (items 9, 11, 15, 37, 38, 57, 58, 82, 92): (d) Schedule 7 (items 44, 47): (d) Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch.1 (item 11), Sch. 2 (item 3), Sch. 3 (item 3) and Sch. 5 (item 8)
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Budget Measures) Act 2005	156, 2005	19 Dec 2005	19 Dec 2005	—
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 4) Act 2005	158, 2005	19 Dec 2005	20 Dec 2005	—
Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up‑front Student Union Fees) Act 2005	159, 2005	19 Dec 2005	1 Jan 2006	Sch. 1 (item 1A)
Tax Laws Amendment (Improvements to Self Assessment) Act (No. 2) 2005	161, 2005	19 Dec 2005	19 Dec 2005	Sch. 2 (item 32)
Tax Laws Amendment (Repeal of Inoperative Provisions) Act 2006	101, 2006	14 Sept 2006	Schedule 2 (item 116) and Schedule 6 (items 1, 6–11): Royal Assent	Sch. 6 (items 1, 6–11)
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2006 Budget and Other Measures) Act 2006	121, 2006	4 Nov 2006	Schedule 1 (items 3–5) and Schedule 2: 1 Jan 2007 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 4, 5), Sch. 2 (items 3, 4), Sch. 3 (items 12–14) and Sch. 4 (item 5)
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Act 2007	72, 2007	28 May 2007	Schedule 1: 31 Dec 2007 (see F2007L03553) Schedule 3 (items 2–6): 1 Jan 2008 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 3 (item 6) and Sch. 5 (item 5)
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2007 Budget Measures) Act 2007	119, 2007	28 June 2007	Schedule 2, Schedule 3 (items 10–17), Schedules 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11: 1 Jan 2008 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 2 (items 3, 4, 6), Sch. 3 (items 9, 17), Sch. 4 (item 5), Sch. 7 (items 3, 7), Sch. 8 (item 20), Sch. 10 (item 2) and Sch. 11 (item 2)
Maritime Legislation Amendment Act 2007	150, 2007	24 Sept 2007	Schedule 1: 1 Jan 2008 (see F2007L04141) Remainder: Royal Assent	—
Higher Education Support Amendment (Extending FEE‑HELP for VET Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate Courses) Act 2007	170, 2007	28 Sept 2007	Schedule 1: 1 Jan 2008 Remainder: Royal Assent	—
Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE‑HELP Assistance) Act 2008	11, 2008	20 Mar 2008	20 Mar 2008	—
Higher Education Support Amendment (2008 Budget Measures) Act 2008	43, 2008	25 June 2008	25 June 2008	Sch. 1 (item 17) and Sch. 2 (item 13)
Statute Law Revision Act 2008	73, 2008	3 July 2008	Schedule 1 (items 28, 29): (e)	—
Higher Education Support Amendment (Removal of the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements and National Governance Protocols Requirements and Other Matters) Act 2008	89, 2008	20 Sept 2008	20 Sept 2008	Sch. 1 (item 7)
Same‑Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws—General Law Reform) Act 2008	144, 2008	9 Dec 2008	Schedule 5 (items 6–9): 10 Dec 2008	—
Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Act 2009	27, 2009	26 Mar 2009	Schedule 3 (items 36–39, 102(1)): 27 Mar 2009	Sch. 3 (item 102(1))
Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE‑HELP and Providers) Act 2009	39, 2009	23 June 2009	24 June 2009	Sch. 1 (items 2, 4, 6) and Sch. 2 (item 9)
Higher Education Support Amendment (2009 Budget Measures) Act 2009	86, 2009	18 Sept 2009	Schedule 2, Schedule 4 (item 1) and Schedule 5: 1 Jan 2010 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 2 (items 3, 4), Sch. 3 (item 2), Sch. 5 (items 2, 3) and Sch. 6 (item 2)
Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE‑HELP and Tertiary Admission Centres) Act 2009	121, 2009	7 Dec 2009	8 Dec 2009	Sch. 1 (items 2, 4, 7, 12)
Higher Education Support Amendment Act 2010	6, 2010	19 Feb 2010	19 Feb 2010	—
Statute Law Revision Act 2010	8, 2010	1 Mar 2010	Schedule 5 (item 137(a)): (f)	—
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Act 2010	17, 2010	24 Mar 2010	Schedule 2 (items 5–9): 1 Apr 2010	—
Higher Education Support Amendment (University College London) Act 2010	47, 2010	31 May 2010	1 Jan 2010	Sch. 1 (item 2)
Tax Laws Amendment (Transfer of Provisions) Act 2010	79, 2010	29 June 2010	Schedule 1 (items 14–16): 1 July 2010	—
Higher Education Support Amendment (Indexation) Act 2010	111, 2010	14 July 2010	1 Jan 2011	Sch. 1 (item 6)
Higher Education Support Amendment (2010 Budget Measures) Act 2010	129, 2010	24 Nov 2010	Schedule 1: 1 Dec 2010 Remainder: Royal Assent	—
Higher Education Support Amendment (FEE‑HELP Loan Fee) Act 2010	132, 2010	24 Nov 2010	24 Nov 2010	Sch. 1 (item 2)

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
4. Schedule 2, item 2	Immediately after the commencement of the provision(s) covered by table item 5.	25 May 2005
5. Schedule 2, items 3 to 17	The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.	25 May 2005

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
5. Schedule 6	23 November 2004.	23 November 2004
6. Schedule 7, items 1 to 6	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 5.	23 November 2004
7. Schedule 7, item 7	Immediately after the commencement of item 6 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up‑front Student Union Fees) Act 2005. However, if item 6 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up‑front Student Union Fees) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 January 2006
8. Schedule 7, item 8	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 5.	23 November 2004
9. Schedule 7, item 9	Immediately after the commencement of item 18 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005. However, if item 18 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 July 2005
10. Schedule 7, item 10	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 5.	23 November 2004
11. Schedule 7, item 11	Immediately after the commencement of item 20 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005. However, if item 20 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 July 2005
12. Schedule 7, items 12 to 14	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 5.	23 November 2004
13. Schedule 7, item 15	Immediately after the commencement of item 24 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005. However, if item 24 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 July 2005
14. Schedule 7, items 16 to 36	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 5.	23 November 2004
15. Schedule 7, items 37 and 38	Immediately after the commencement of item 44 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005. However, if item 44 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 July 2005
16. Schedule 7, items 39 to 43	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 5.	23 November 2004
17. Schedule 7, item 44	Immediately after the commencement of item 60 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005. However, if item 60 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 January 2004
18. Schedule 7, items 45 and 46	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 5.	23 November 2004
19. Schedule 7, item 47	Immediately after the commencement of item 61 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005. However, if item 61 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	1 January 2004
20. Schedule 7, items 48 and 49	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 5.	23 November 2004
21. Schedule 7, items 50 to 56	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 6.	23 November 2004
22. Schedule 7, item 57	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 9. However, if the provisions covered by table item 9 do not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 July 2005
23. Schedule 7, item 58	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 11. However, if the provisions covered by table item 11 do not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 July 2005
24. Schedule 7, items 59 to 81	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 6.	23 November 2004
25. Schedule 7, item 82	Immediately after the commencement of item 44 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005. However, if item 44 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 July 2005
26. Schedule 7, items 83 to 91	Immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 6.	23 November 2004
27. Schedule 7, item 92	Immediately after the commencement of item 23 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005. However, if item 23 of Schedule 1 to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 2) Act 2005 does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.	6 July 2005

Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
31. Schedule 5, items 1 to 51	The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.	1 March 2010
38. Schedule 5, Parts 2 and 3	Immediately after the provision(s) covered by table item 31.	1 March 2010

ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected		How affected
Chapter 1
Division 2
S. 2‑1............		am. No. 170, 2007
Division 3
S. 3‑1............		am. No. 170, 2007
Heading to s. 3‑5....		am. No. 119, 2007
S. 3‑5............		am. Nos. 72 and 119, 2007
S. 3‑25...........		rs. No. 72, 2007
S. 3‑30...........		ad. No. 170, 2007
Division 5
Div. 5...................		ad. No. 158, 2005
S. 5‑1............		ad. No. 158, 2005
		am. Nos. 119 and 170, 2007
Division 6
Div. 6...................		ad. No. 170, 2007
S. 6‑1............		ad. No. 170, 2007
Chapter 2
Heading to Chapt. 2........		rs. No. 119, 2007
Division 8
S. 8‑1............		am. Nos. 72 and 119, 2007
Part 2‑1
Division 13
S. 13‑1...........		am. No. 158, 2005; No. 72, 2007
Division 16
Subdivision 16‑A
S. 16‑5...........		am. No. 158, 2005; No. 39, 2009
Subdivision 16‑B
S. 16‑15..........		am. Nos. 72 and 150, 2007
S. 16‑22..........		ad. No. 158, 2005
		am. No. 47, 2010
Subdivision 16‑C
S. 16‑25..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 56, 2005; No. 72, 2007; No. 6, 2010
S. 16‑30..........		am. No. 45, 2004; No. 56, 2005
		rs. No. 158, 2005
S. 16‑31..........		ad. No. 56, 2005
S. 16‑35..........		rep. No. 72, 2007
Heading to s. 16‑55..		rs. No. 158, 2005
S. 16‑55..........		am. No. 158, 2005; No. 39, 2009
Division 19
Subdivision 19‑C
S. 19‑15..........		am. No. 72, 2007
Heading to s. 19‑20..		am. No. 72, 2007
S. 19‑20..........		am. No. 72, 2007
S. 19-25.................		am. No. 89, 2008
S. 19-27.................		am. No. 89, 2008
S. 19-29.................		ad. No. 89, 2008
Subdivision 19‑D
S. 19‑35..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
S. 19‑37..........		ad. No. 159, 2005
S. 19‑40..........		am. No. 56, 2005
S. 19‑45..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 83, 2005
S. 19‑50..........		am. No. 83, 2005
S. 19‑60..........		am. No. 83, 2005
Subdivision 19‑E
S. 19‑65..........		am. No. 158, 2005
S. 19‑77..........		ad. No. 72, 2007
S. 19‑80..........		ad. No. 143, 2005
Subdivision 19‑F
S. 19‑87..........		ad. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 157, 2004; No. 83, 2005; No. 121, 2006; No. 72, 2007
S. 19‑88..........		ad. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 114, 2004
		rep. No. 121, 2006
S. 19‑90..........		rs. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 83, 2005; No. 121, 2006
S. 19‑91..........		ad. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 114, 2004
		rep. No. 121, 2006
Heading to s. 19‑95..		am. No. 45, 2004
S. 19‑95..........		am. No. 45, 2004; No. 83, 2005; No. 121, 2006
S. 19‑97..........		ad. No. 45, 2004
		rep. No. 121, 2006
S. 19‑100.........		rs. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 157, 2004
S. 19‑101.........		ad. No. 45, 2004
		rep. No. 121, 2006
S. 19‑102.........		ad. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 143, 2005
S. 19‑105.........		rs. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 157, 2004
		rs. No. 121, 2006
Division 22
Subdivision 22-A
S. 22-1..................		am. No. 39, 2009
Subdivision 22‑B
S. 22‑7...........		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. No. 72, 2007
Heading to s. 22‑10..		rs. No. 72, 2007
Subhead. to s. 22‑10(1)		rs. No. 72, 2007
Subhead. to s. 22‑10(2)		rs. No. 72, 2007
Subhead. to s. 22‑10(3)		rs. No. 72, 2007
S. 22‑10..........		am. No. 72, 2007; No. 89, 2008
Subdivision 22‑C
S. 22‑30..........		am. No. 72, 2007
S. 22‑32..........		ad. No. 170, 2007
Heading to s. 22‑35..		rs. No. 158, 2005
S. 22‑35..........		am. No. 158, 2005
Subdivision 22‑D
S. 22‑40..........		am. No. 72, 2007
Subdivision 22‑E
Subdiv. 22-E of Div. 22 of Part 2-1		ad. No. 39, 2009
S. 22-45.................		ad. No. 39, 2009
Part 2‑2
Division 27
Note to s. 27‑1......		ad. No. 158, 2005
Division 30
Subdivision 30‑A
S. 30‑1...........		am. No. 119, 2007
S. 30‑5...........		am. Nos. 45, 114 and 157, 2004; Nos. 56 and 156, 2005; No. 121, 2006; No. 119, 2007; No. 43, 2008; No. 86, 2009; No. 129, 2010
Subdivision 30‑B
S. 30‑10..........		am. No. 43, 2008
S. 30‑15..........		am. No. 119, 2007; No. 86, 2009
Subdivision 30‑C
S. 30‑25..........		am. No. 157, 2004; No. 119, 2007; No. 43, 2008
Note to s. 30‑25(2)...		am. No. 119, 2007
Division 33
Subdivision 33‑A
S. 33‑1...........		am. No. 86, 2009
Subdivision 33‑B
S. 33‑5...........		am. No. 43, 2008
S. 33‑10..........		am. No. 121, 2006; No. 119, 2007; No. 86, 2009
S. 33‑15..........		am. No. 139, 2005
		rep. No. 119, 2007
S. 33‑17..........		ad. No. 119, 2007
		rep. No. 89, 2008
Subdivision 33‑C
S. 33‑20..........		rep. No. 119, 2007
Note to s. 33‑20(2)...		ad. No. 159, 2005
		rep. No. 119, 2007
Heading to s. 33‑25..		am. No. 119, 2007
Subhead. to s. 33‑25(5)		ad. No. 119, 2007
S. 33‑25..........		am. No. 45, 2004; No. 119, 2007; No. 86, 2009
S. 33‑37..........		ad. No. 159, 2005
Division 36
Subdivision 36‑B
S. 36‑5...........		am. No. 157, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Subhead. to s. 36‑10(7)		am. No. 121, 2006
S. 36‑10..........		am. No. 157, 2004; No. 143, 2005; No. 121, 2006; No. 72, 2007
S. 36‑15..........		am. No. 157, 2004; Nos. 143 and 158, 2005
S. 36‑20..........		am. No. 45, 2004; No. 158, 2005
Heading to s. 36‑22..		am. No. 83, 2005
S. 36‑22..........		ad. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 157, 2004; Nos. 83 and 158, 2005; No. 72, 2007
S. 36‑22A.........		ad. No. 158, 2005
S. 36‑23..........		ad. No. 83, 2005
Subdivision 36‑C
S. 36‑25..........		rs. No. 157, 2004
		am. No. 143, 2005
Heading to s. 36‑30..		rs. No. 43, 2008
Subhead. to s. 36‑30(5)		am. No. 43, 2008
S. 36‑30..........		am. No. 143, 2005; No. 43, 2008
S. 36‑32..........		ad. No. 72, 2007
S. 36‑35..........		am. No. 157, 2004
		rep. No. 119, 2007
S. 36‑40..........		am. Nos. 45, 114 and 157, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Subdivision 36‑D
S. 36‑45..........		am. No. 45, 2004
S. 36‑50..........		am. No. 45, 2004
Subdivision 36‑E
S. 36‑55..........		am. No. 45, 2004
Subdivision 36‑F
S. 36‑70..........		am. No. 119, 2007
Part 2‑3
Division 41
Note to s. 41‑1......		ad. No. 158, 2005
S. 41‑10..........		am. No. 56, 2005; No. 119, 2007; No. 89, 2008; No. 86, 2009
S. 41‑45..........		am. Nos. 45 and 114, 2004; Nos. 56 and 156, 2005; No. 121, 2006; Nos. 72 and 119, 2007; No. 43, 2008; No. 86, 2009; No. 129, 2010
Heading to s. 41‑50..		rs. No. 158, 2005
S. 41‑50..........		am. No. 158, 2005
Part 2‑4
Heading to Part 2‑4..		rs. No. 119, 2007
Division 46
Heading to Div. 46 of Part 2‑4		rs. No. 119, 2007
S. 46‑1...........		am. No. 119, 2007
Note to s. 46‑1......		ad. No. 158, 2005
S. 46‑10..........		am. No. 119, 2007
S. 46‑13..........		ad. No. 119, 2007
Heading to s. 46‑15..		rs. No. 119, 2007
S. 46‑15..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 119, 2007
Subhead. to s. 46‑20(2)		ad. No. 119, 2007
S. 46‑20..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 119, 2007; No. 17, 2010
S. 46‑25..........		am. No. 119, 2007
S. 46‑30..........		am. No. 114, 2004
S. 46‑40..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 156, 2005; No. 121, 2006; No. 119, 2007; No. 43, 2008; No. 86, 2009; No. 129, 2010
Part 2‑5
Division 51
Note to s. 51‑1......		ad. No. 158, 2005
Division 54
S. 54‑5...........		am. No. 159, 2005
Chapter 3
Part 3‑1
Division 73
S. 73‑10..........		am. No. 45, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Division 76
S. 76‑1...........		am. No. 157, 2004; No. 158, 2005
Division 79
Subdivision 79‑A
Heading to Subdiv. 79‑A of Div. 79 of Part 3‑1		ad. No. 56, 2005
S. 79‑1A..........		ad. No. 56, 2005
Heading to s. 79‑1...		rs. No. 56, 2005
S. 79‑1...........		am. No. 157, 2004; Nos. 83 and 158, 2005; No. 72, 2007
S. 79‑5...........		am. No. 158, 2005
Note to s. 79‑5(2)....		am. No. 45, 2004
S. 79‑10..........		am. No. 158, 2005
Subdivision 79‑B
Heading to Subdiv. 79‑B of Div. 79 of Part 3‑1		rs. No. 158, 2005
Subdiv. 79‑B of Div. 79 of Part 3‑1		ad. No. 56, 2005
Heading to s. 79‑20..		am. No. 158, 2005
S. 79‑20..........		ad. No. 56, 2005
		am. No. 158, 2005
Subdivision 79‑C
Subdiv. 79‑C of Div. 79 of Part 3‑1		ad. No. 83, 2005
S. 79‑25..........		ad. No. 83, 2005
		am. No. 158, 2005
Part 3‑2
Division 87
S. 87‑1...........		rs. No. 45, 2004
Note to s. 87‑1 Renumbered Note 1......		No. 158, 2005
Note 2 to s. 87‑1....		ad. No. 158, 2005
Division 90
S. 90‑1...........		am. Nos. 45 and 157, 2004
S. 90‑5...........		am. No. 114, 2004
		rs. No. 72, 2007
Division 93
S. 93‑1...........		am. No. 45, 2004
S. 93‑5...........		am. Nos. 45 and 157, 2004; No. 121, 2006
Heading to s. 93‑10..		rs. No. 45, 2004
S. 93‑10..........		am. No. 45, 2004; No. 119, 2007; No. 43, 2008; No. 86, 2009
Note 1 to s. 93‑10...		rs. No. 119, 2007
Note 2 to s. 93‑10...		am. No. 45, 2004
S. 93‑15..........		am. No. 45, 2004
Division 96
S. 96‑1...........		am. No. 45, 2004
S. 96‑5...........		am. Nos. 45 and 114, 2004
S. 96‑10..........		am. No. 45, 2004
Note to s. 96‑10.....		am. No. 45, 2004
Part 3‑3
Division 101
S. 101‑1..........		rs. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Division 104
Subdivision 104‑A
S. 104‑1..........		am. Nos. 114 and 157, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Heading to s. 104‑2..		am. No. 143, 2005
S. 104‑2..........		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. No. 157, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Heading to s. 104‑3..		am. Nos. 143 and 159, 2005
S. 104‑3..........		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. Nos. 143, 158 and 159, 2005
Heading to s. 104‑4..		am. No. 143, 2005
S. 104‑4..........		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. Nos. 83 and 143, 2005; No. 121, 2006
S. 104‑5..........		am. No. 114, 2004
		rs. No. 72, 2007
S. 104‑10.........		am. No. 158, 2005; No. 72, 2007
Subdivision 104‑B
S. 104‑15.........		am. No. 121, 2006
		rs. No. 170, 2007
S. 104‑20.........		rs. No. 121, 2006
Heading to s. 104‑25.		rs. No. 56, 2005
S. 104‑25.........		am. No. 114, 2004; Nos. 56, 143 and 158, 2005
Note to s. 104‑25....		rep. No. 114, 2004
S. 104‑27.........		ad. No. 83, 2005
		am. Nos. 143 and 158, 2005
S. 104‑30.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
S. 104‑35.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
S. 104‑40.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Heading to s. 104‑42.		am. No. 158, 2005
S. 104‑42.........		ad. No. 56, 2005
		am. No. 158, 2005
Subdivision 104‑C
S. 104‑45.........		am. No. 143, 2005; No. 72, 2007
S. 104‑75.........		rep. No. 143, 2005
Division 107
S. 107‑1..........		am. No. 45, 2004
S. 107‑5..........		am. No. 45, 2004
S. 107‑10.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
		rs. No. 170, 2007
Example to s. 107‑10(2)		rs. No. 45, 2004; No. 170, 2007
Division 110
Heading to s. 110‑1..		rs. No. 114, 2004
S. 110‑1..........		am. Nos. 45 and 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
S. 110‑5..........		am. No. 114, 2004; Nos. 56, 83, 143 and 158, 2005
Note to s. 110‑5(1)...		ad. No. 121, 2006
Part 3‑4
Division 115
S. 115‑1..........		am. No. 157, 2004
Division 118
S. 118‑1..........		am. No. 157, 2004; No. 83, 2005; No. 72, 2007
S. 118‑5..........		am. No. 114, 2004
S. 118‑7..........		ad. No. 157, 2004
S. 118‑10.........		am. No. 157, 2004; No. 72, 2007
S. 118‑15.........		am. No. 157, 2004
Chapter 4
Division 129
S. 129‑1..........		rs. No. 170, 2007
Part 4‑1
Division 134
S. 134‑1..........		rs. No. 170, 2007
Division 137
S. 137‑1..........		am. No. 170, 2007
S. 137‑5..........		am. No. 45, 2004; Nos. 83 and 158, 2005
S. 137‑10.........		am. Nos. 45 and 157, 2004; Nos. 56 and 83, 2005; No. 132, 2010
Note to s. 137‑10(4)..		ad. No. 121, 2006
S. 137‑15.........		am. No. 86, 2009
S. 137‑18.........		ad. No. 170, 2007
		am. No. 121, 2009
Division 140
Subdivision 140‑A
S. 140‑1..........		am. No. 43, 2008
Subdivision 140‑B
S. 140‑5..........		am. No. 121, 2006; No. 170, 2007; No. 43, 2008
Subdivision 140‑C
S. 140‑25.........		am. No. 121, 2006; No. 170, 2007
Example to s. 140‑25(1)		am. No. 83, 2005
Division 148
S. 148‑1..........		am. No. 43, 2008
S. 148‑5..........		ad. No. 43, 2008
Part 4‑2
Division 154
Subdivision 154‑A
S. 154‑1..........		am. No. 43, 2008
S. 154‑3..........		ad. No. 43, 2008
S. 154‑5..........		am. No. 27, 2009
Subdivision 154‑C
Note to s. 154‑35....		ad. No. 43, 2008
S. 154‑40.........		am. No. 43, 2008
S. 154‑55.........		am. No. 143, 2005
Subdivision 154‑D
S. 154-60................		am. No. 79, 2010
Note to s. 154-60..........		rep. No. 79, 2010
S. 154‑75.........		rep. No. 101, 2006
S. 154‑85.........		ad. No. 43, 2008
Division 157
Div. 157 of Part 4-2.........		ad. No 43, 2008
Subdivision 157‑A
S. 157‑1..........		ad. No. 43, 2008
S. 157‑5..........		ad. No. 43, 2008
S. 157‑10.........		ad. No. 43, 2008
Subdivision 157‑B
S. 157‑15.........		ad. No. 43, 2008
Subdivision 157‑C
S. 157‑20.........		ad. No. 43, 2008
S. 157‑25.........		ad. No. 43, 2008
S. 157‑30.........		ad. No. 43, 2008
Chapter 5
Part 5‑1
Division 164
S. 164‑1..........		am. No. 119, 2007
S. 164‑10.........		am. No. 157, 2004
Heading to s. 164‑15.		am. No. 119, 2007
S. 164‑17.........		ad. No. 119, 2007
S. 164‑18.........		ad. No. 119, 2007
S. 164‑25.........		rep. No. 170, 2007
Part 5‑2
Division 169
S. 169‑15.........		am. No. 45, 2004; No. 158, 2005
S. 169‑20.........		am. Nos. 45 and 157, 2004
S. 169‑25.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 83, 2005
S. 169‑35.........		ad. No. 72, 2007
Part 5‑3
Division 174
S. 174‑5..........		rs. No. 121, 2006
S. 174‑10.........		rep. No. 121, 2006
S. 174‑15.........		rep. No. 121, 2006
S. 174‑20.........		rep. No. 121, 2006
S. 174‑25.........		rep. No. 121, 2006
Part 5‑4
Division 179
S. 179-5.................		am. No. 121, 2009
S. 179-10................		am. No. 73, 2008
S. 179‑15.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005; No. 121, 2009
S. 179‑20.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005; No. 121, 2009
S. 179‑25.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005; No. 121, 2009
S. 179‑35.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005; No. 121, 2009
Part 5‑5
Division 184
S. 184‑1..........		rs. No. 114, 2004
		am. No. 143, 2005
Division 187
S. 187‑1..........		am. No. 114, 2004; Nos. 83 and 143, 2005
S. 187‑2..........		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. No. 143, 2005
S. 187‑5..........		ad. No. 45, 2004
		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Division 190
Heading to Div. 190 of Part 5‑5		rs. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
S. 190‑1..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
S. 190‑5..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
S. 190‑10.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
S. 190‑15.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Note to s. 190‑15....		am. No. 157, 2004
S. 190‑20.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Note to s. 190‑20....		am. No. 157, 2004
Division 193
Heading to Div. 193 of Part 5‑5		rs. No. 114, 2004; Nos. 83 and 143, 2005
Subhead. to s. 193‑1(1)		am. No. 114, 2004
Subhead. to s. 193‑1(2A)		am. No. 143, 2005
S. 193‑1..........		am. Nos. 45, 114 and 157, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Heading to s. 193‑5..		rs. No. 83, 2005
S. 193‑5..........		am. No. 83, 2005
S. 193‑10.........		ad. No. 83, 2005
		am. No. 143, 2005
Part 5‑6
Division 198
Note 2 to s. 198‑1...		am. No. 83, 2005
S. 198‑5..........		am. No. 45, 2004; No. 159, 2005
		rs. No. 111, 2010
S. 198‑10.........		am. No. 83, 2005; No. 111, 2010
S. 198‑20.........		am. No. 86, 2009
		rs. No. 111, 2010
S. 198‑25.........		rep. No. 111, 2010
Part 5‑7
Division 206
S. 206‑1..........		am. Nos. 45 and 114, 2004; Nos. 143 and 158, 2005; No. 72, 2007; No. 43, 2008
Note to s. 206‑1.....		rep. No. 114, 2004
Note 1 to s. 206‑1...		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. No. 83, 2005
Note 2 to s. 206‑1...		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. No. 143, 2005
Division 209
S. 209‑1..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 143, 2005
Note to s. 209‑1.....		rep. No. 114, 2004
Note 1 to s. 209‑1...		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. No. 83, 2005
Note 2 to s. 209‑1...		ad. No. 114, 2004
		am. No. 143, 2005
S. 209‑10.........		am. No. 83, 2005
Chapter 6
Division 217
S. 217‑1..........		rs. No. 72, 2007
S. 217‑5..........		ad. No. 121, 2006
Part 6‑1
Division 222
S. 222‑1..........		rs. No. 72, 2007
Division 225
Heading to s. 225‑1..		am. No. 72, 2007
S. 225‑1..........		am. No. 121, 2006; No. 72, 2007
S. 225‑3..........		ad. No. 72, 2007
S. 225‑5..........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 121, 2006
		rs. No. 72, 2007
S. 225‑7..........		ad. No. 72, 2007
S. 225‑10.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 121, 2006; No. 72, 2007
S. 225‑15.........		rs. No. 72, 2007
S. 225‑20.........		am. No. 114, 2004; No. 121, 2006
		rs. No. 72, 2007
S. 225‑25.........		am. No. 121, 2006
Division 228
Heading to s. 228‑1..		am. No. 72, 2007
S. 228‑1..........		am. No. 72, 2007
S. 228‑5..........		am. No. 72, 2007
S. 228‑10.........		am. No. 72, 2007
S. 228‑15.........		am. No. 72, 2007; No. 8, 2010
Chapter 7
S. 238‑1..........		am. No. 114, 2004; Nos. 83 and 143, 2005
S. 238‑10.........		am. Nos. 83 and 158, 2005; No. 121, 2006; No. 43, 2008
S. 238‑12.........		ad. No. 170, 2007
Schedule 1A
Schedule 1A..............		ad. No. 170, 2007
Part 1
Division 3
Subdivision 3-A
C. 5....................		am. No. 39, 2009
Subdivision 3-B
C. 6....................		am. No. 11, 2008; Nos. 39 and 121, 2009; No. 6, 2010
C. 11 ...................		am. No. 6, 2010
C. 12...................		am. No. 39, 2009
Division 4
Subdivision 4-F
C. 27A..................		ad. No. 11, 2008
Subhead. to c. 28(1)........		ad. No. 11, 2008
C. 28...................		am. No. 11, 2008
Division 5
Subdivision 5-A
C. 29...................		am. No. 39, 2009
Subdivision 5-B
C. 30A..................		ad. No. 39, 2009
C. 32A..................		ad. No. 39, 2009
Subdivision 5-E
Subdiv. 5-E of Div. 5 of Part 1		ad. No. 39, 2009
C. 39A..................		ad. No. 39, 2009
Part 2
Division 7
Subdivision 7-A
C. 43...................		am. No. 11, 2008
Note to c. 43..............		ad. No. 39, 2009
C. 45...................	am. No. 11, 2008; No. 121, 2009
Note to c. 45(1)............	ad. No. 39, 2009
C. 45A..................	ad. No. 39, 2009
Part 3
Division 14
Cc. 74–76...............		am. No. 121, 2009
C. 78...................		am. No. 121, 2009
Part 4
C. 99...................		am. No. 121, 2009
Schedule 1
Schedule 1...............		am. Nos. 45, 114 and 157, 2004; Nos. 56, 83, 143, 158 and 161, 2005; No. 121, 2006; Nos. 72, 119 and 170, 2007; Nos. 11, 43, 89 and 144, 2008; Nos. 27 and 121, 2009; Nos. 17 and 111, 2010