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HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT ACT 2003 NO. 149, 2003


TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

            

CHAPTER 1--Introduction
            

           Division 1--Preliminary

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

           Division 2--Objects

   2.1.    Objects of this Act  

           Division 3--Overview of this Act

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

CHAPTER 2--Grants for higher education assistance
            

           Division 8--Introduction

   8.1.    What this Chapter is about  

   PART 2-1--HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS

           Division 13--Introduction

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

           Division 16--What is a higher education provider?
            
              Subdivision 16-A--General 

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

           Division 19--What are the quality and accountability requirements?
            
              Subdivision 19-A--General 

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

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

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

   PART 2-2--COMMONWEALTH GRANT SCHEME

           Division 27--Introduction

   27.1.   What this Part is about  
   27.5.   Guidelines  

           Division 30--Which higher education providers are eligible for a grant?
            
              Subdivision 30-A--Basic rules 

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

           Division 33--How are grant amounts worked out?
            
              Subdivision 33-A--Basic rule 

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

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

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

   PART 2-3--OTHER GRANTS

           Division 41--Other grants

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

   PART 2-4--GRANTS FOR COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS

           Division 46--Grants for Commonwealth scholarships

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

   PART 2-5--REDUCTION AND REPAYMENT OF GRANTS

           Division 51--Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER 3--Assistance to students
            

           Division 65--Introduction

   65.1.   What this Chapter is about  

   PART 3-1--STUDENT LEARNING ENTITLEMENT

           Division 70--Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   PART 3-2--HECS-HELP ASSISTANCE

           Division 87--Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   PART 3-3--FEE-HELP ASSISTANCE

           Division 101--Introduction

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

           Division 104--Who is entitled to FEE-HELP assistance?
            
              Subdivision 104-A--Basic rules 

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

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

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

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

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

   PART 3-4--OS-HELP ASSISTANCE

           Division 115--Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER 4--Repayment of loans
            

           Division 129--Introduction

   129.1.  What this Chapter is about  

   PART 4-1--INDEBTEDNESS

           Division 134--Introduction

   134.1.  What this Part is about  

           Division 137--How do HELP debts arise?

   137.1.  HELP debts  
   137.5.  HECS-HELP debts  
   137.10. FEE-HELP debts  
   137.15. OS-HELP debts  
   137.20. HELP debt discharged by death  

           Division 140--How are accumulated HELP debts worked out?
            
              Subdivision 140-A--Outline of this Division 

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

   PART 4-2--DISCHARGE OF INDEBTEDNESS

           Division 148--Introduction

   148.1.  What this Part is about  

           Division 151--How is indebtedness voluntarily discharged?

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

           Division 154--How is indebtedness compulsorily discharged?
            
              Subdivision 154-A--Liability to repay amounts 

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

CHAPTER 5--Administration
            

           Division 159--Introduction

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

   PART 5-1--PAYMENTS BY THE COMMONWEALTH

           Division 164--Payments by the Commonwealth

   164.1.  What this Part is about  
   164.5.  Time and manner of payments  
   164.10. Advances  
   164.15. Overpayments  
   164.20. Rounding of amounts  
   164.25. Appropriation  

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

           Division 169--Administrative requirements on higher education providers

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

   PART 5-3--ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

           Division 174--Electronic communications

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

   PART 5-4--PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

           Division 179--Protection of personal information

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

   PART 5-5--TAX FILE NUMBERS

           Division 184--Introduction

   184.1.  What this Part is about  

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

   187.1.  Meeting the tax file number requirements  

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

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

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

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

   PART 5-6--INDEXATION

           Division 198--Indexation

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

   PART 5-7--REVIEW OF DECISIONS

           Division 203--Introduction

   203.1.  What this Part is about  

           Division 206--Which decisions are subject to review?

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

           Division 209--How are decisions reconsidered?

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

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

   212.1.  AAT review of reviewable decisions  
            

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

           Division 217--Introduction

   217.1.  What this Chapter is about  

   PART 6-1--APPROVAL AND ACCREDITATION

           Division 222--Introduction

   222.1.  What this Part is about  

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

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

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

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

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

           Division 233--Use of company names and business names

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

CHAPTER 7--Miscellaneous
            

   238.1.  Delegations by Secretary  
   238.5.  Delegations by Minister  
   238.7.  Review of impact of Act  
   238.10. Guidelines  
   238.15. Regulations  
           SCHEDULE 1 - Dictionary


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